Entropy of Irreversible Processes across a Boundary

A novel method for determining the entropy associated with irreversible processes has been provided,
differing from the conventional theory of irreversible thermodynamics. It permits the direct relation of
heat and work transfers in irreversible processes to those in reversible changes, in terms of
measurable properties. The same technique is applied to the construction of thermodynamic state
functions that are no longer limited to reversible phenomena. The results are then used to construct
line integrals for the contribution of irreversible processes to the entropy associated with the flow of
heat, work, and matter across a junction. Specific examples are provided to illustrate the procedure;
they relate to changes of temperature and volume and to cycling of systems interacting with a
reservoir via a thin barrier.