Glossary
Gibbs Energy Minimization
The Gibbs Energy Minimization (GEM) is the technique used by Thermo-Calc to calculate the most stable phase assemblage in a heterogeneous equilibrium (i.e., multicomponent and multiphase equilibrium). The equations of mass balance, mass action, and conservation of electrons are satisfied through both thermodynamic and mathematical solutions.
Thanks to its direct use of the Gibbs energy, the GEM technique provides an efficient, but also a relatively easy, way to ensure the internal consistency of thermodynamic data in a specified system. The technique has been proved to be one of the best when it comes to thermodynamic and phase-stability calculations.