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Updated: Jul 9, 2026

A Rapid Method for Modeling a Variable Cycle Engine
Published on: August 13, 2019
Simple model for transport phenomena: microscopic construction of Maxwell demonlike engine
Jyotipratim Ray Chaudhuri1, Sudip Chattopadhyay, Suman Kumar Banik
1Department of Physics, Katwa College, Katwa, Burdwan 713130, India. jprc_8@yahoo.com
This study introduces a Maxwell demon-like engine that extracts work by manipulating internal fluctuations. It demonstrates that modulated nonlinear baths with external noise can induce net motion and effective temperature, even with identical bath temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Statistical Mechanics
- Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics
- Mesoscopic Physics
Background:
- Maxwell's demon paradox highlights the potential for information to reduce entropy.
- Developing practical engines based on fluctuation-induced effects is a key challenge.
- Understanding transport phenomena in non-equilibrium systems is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a microscopic Hamiltonian framework for a Maxwell demon-like engine.
- To investigate the conditions for generating fluctuation-induced transport.
- To explore work extraction by modifying internal fluctuations in a non-equilibrium bath.
Main Methods:
- Development of a theoretical model using a microscopic Hamiltonian framework.
- Inclusion of an equilibrium bath and a non-equilibrium bath driven by Gaussian noise.
- Analysis of internal fluctuations and their role in inducing transport.
Main Results:
- The proposed engine extracts work by modifying internal fluctuations.
- Net motion is achieved when a nonlinear bath is modulated by external noise.
- A non-zero effective temperature is generated even when bath temperatures are identical.
Conclusions:
- The study identifies essential ingredients for fluctuation-induced transport under non-equilibrium conditions.
- Modulated nonlinear baths driven by noise are key to creating effective temperature differences.
- This framework offers a new perspective on work extraction from fluctuations.
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