In these proceedings, it is shown that thermodynamical concepts are not 'old fashioned' but still are most useful at the frontiers of modern science. Among the contributors are well-known experts such as Andresen (Copenhagen), Eu (Montreal), Gromann (Marburg), Kawasaki (Fuhuoha), Maugin (Paris), Nicolis (Bruxelles) and Szepfalusy (Budapest). The subject covers a wide field including: recent developments in phenomenological thermodynamics, statistical foundation of thermodynamical concepts, thermodynamical concepts in nonlinear dynamics, applications to nonlinear (neural) networks, stochastic theory and transition processes.