Local gradient theory for dielectrics : fundamentals and applications A review of the gradient and nonlocal theories of electrothermoelastic polarized media Thermodynamic foundations of local gradient electrothermomechanics of polarized non ferromagnetic solids taking the local mass displacement into account Generalized local gradient theories of dielectrics Near surface inhomogeneity of electromechanical fields stationary harmornic wave processes. Devoted to the development of a local gradient theory of dielectrics this book begins with a brief description of the known approaches to the construction of generalized (integral and gradient type) continuum theories. It then presents a new continuum thermodynamic approach for constructing the nonlinear local gradient theory of thermoelastic and non ferromagnetic polarized media. This approach considers non diffusive and non convective mass fluxes associated with changes in material microstructure. Within the linear approximation the theory has been applied to study the transition modes of the formation of near surface inhomogeneity of coupled fields in solids disjoining pressure in thin films etc. The theory describes a number of observable phenomena that cannot be explained within the classical theory of dielectrics including the surface size piezoelectric pyroelectric and thermopolarization effects in centrosymmetric crystals; Mead’s anomaly; and high frequency dispersion of elastic waves. Back cover