Non-equilibrium behavior of small carbohydrate-water systems
For pragmatical timescales and conditions (temperature, concentration, pressure), where "real-world" systems are usually far from equilibrium, familiar treatments based on the equilibrium thermodynamics of very dilute solutions fail. Successful treatments require a new approach to emphasize the kinetic description, relate time-temperature-concentration-pressure through underlying mobility trans- formation, and establish reference conditions of temperature and concentration (characteristic for each solute). Small carbohydrate-water systems provide a unique framework for the investigation of non-equilibrium behavior: definition of conditions for its empirical demonstration, examination of materials properties that allow its description and control, identification of appropriate experimental approaches, and exploration of theoretical interpretations.