Energy dissipation bounds for autonomous thermodynamic cycles.
Samuel J Bryant1, Benjamin B Machta1,2
1Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520; samuel.bryant@yale.edu benjamin.machta@yale.edu.
Summary
This study quantifies irreversible energy loss in autonomous systems, revealing that even infinitely slow processes incur energetic costs due to thermodynamic friction and control parameter precision.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Non-equilibrium Systems
Background:
- Deterministic processes incur energy dissipation due to thermodynamic friction when driven out of equilibrium.
- Previous work established bounds on the energy cost for precise control of single degrees of freedom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To calculate the total energy cost for an autonomously controlled system.
- To incorporate both thermodynamic friction and the entropic cost of precise control parameter manipulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the framework of stochastic thermodynamics.
- Developing a theoretical model for autonomous systems with feedback control.
Main Results:
- Derived a formula for the total irreversible energy cost, encompassing friction and control costs.
- Demonstrated that even infinitely slow (adiabatic) protocols lead to irreversible energy loss.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge the conventional understanding of the adiabatic limit in thermodynamics.
- Irreversible energy dissipation is inherent even in idealized, infinitely slow autonomous processes.
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