Turbulence And Selforganization

This book is based on the proceedings of the COSNet/CSIRO Workshop on Turbulence and Coherent Structures held at the Australian National University in Canberra in January 2006. It codifies recent developments in our understanding of the dynamics and statistical dynamics of turbulence and coherent structures in fluid mechanics, atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, plasma physics, and dynamical systems theory.

After a brief outline of magnetohydrodynamic theory, this introductory book discusses the macroscopic aspects of MHD turbulence, and covers the small-scale scaling properties. Applications are provided for astrophysical and laboratory systems. Magnetic turbulence is the natural state of most astrophysical systems, such as stellar convection zones, stellar winds or accretion discs. It is also found in laboratory devices, most notably in the reversed field pinch.

The book offers a novel approach to the study of the complex dynamics of cities. It is based on (1) Synergetics as a science of cooperation and selforganization, (2) information theory including semantic and pragmatic aspects, and optimization principles, (3) a theory of steady state maintenance, and of (4) phase transition, i.e. qualitative changes of structure or behavior.

The book offers a novel approach to the study of the complex dynamics of cities. It is based on (1) Synergetics as a science of cooperation and selforganization, (2) information theory including semantic and pragmatic aspects, and optimization principles, (3) a theory of steady state maintenance, and of (4) phase transition, i.e. qualitative changes of structure or behavior.

Presents, in a single volume, an up-to-date summary of the current knowledge of the statistical characteristics of atmospheric turbulence and an introduction to the methods required to apply these statistics to practical engineering problems. Covers basic physics and statistics, statistical properties emphasizing their behavior close to the ground, and applications for engineers.