Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes
Published on: February 28, 2020
Efficiency of autonomous soft nanomachines at maximum power
1II. Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Stuttgart, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
Abstract:
We consider nanosized artificial or biological machines working in steady state enforced by imposing nonequilibrium concentrations of solutes or by applying external forces, torques, or electric fields. For unicyclic and strongly coupled multicyclic machines, efficiency at maximum power is not bounded by the linear response value 1/2. For strong driving, it can even approach the thermodynamic limit 1. Quite generally, such machines fall into three different classes characterized, respectively, as "strong and efficient," "strong and inefficient," and "balanced." For weakly coupled multicyclic machines, efficiency at maximum power has lost any universality even in the linear response regime.
Related Concept Videos
Mechanical Efficiency of Real Machines
However, in reality, no machine can be truly ideal, and all of them experience some...
Maximum Power Transfer
By substituting the entire circuit with...
