On a theory for thermo-viscoelectric materials

This paper provides a sound thermodynamic foundation for the theory of thermoviscoelectricity. The work is based on a non-equilibrium theory of thermodynamics described by Bree & Beevers [1] which generalises classical thermodynamics as proposed by Carathéodory [2]. A simple constitutive approach is outlined which can be used to discuss the well-known effects of Peltier, Seebeck and Thomson. A number of stability results for classical solutions to a class of initial-boundary value problems are deduced. © 1985.