A nonequilibrium evolution criterion for electromagnetic bodies

In this paper the micropolar medium exposed to the action of mechanical, th ermal and electromagnetic fields is considered. The generalization of the g lobal evolution criterion of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of micropolar me dia in the case of nonvanishing electromagnetic fields is derived. Interact ion with the environment is modeled by the black-body radiation. Applicatio n of the criterion to liquid crystals in equilibrium state is given and the complete set of fundamental equations is derived.