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Overcoming power-efficiency tradeoff in a micro heat engine by engineered system-bath interactions

Author

Listed:
  • Sudeesh Krishnamurthy

    (Indian Institute of Science)

  • Rajesh Ganapathy

    (Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
    Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research)

  • A. K. Sood

    (Indian Institute of Science
    Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research)

Abstract

All real heat engines, be it conventional macro engines or colloidal and atomic micro engines, inevitably tradeoff efficiency in their pursuit to maximize power. This basic postulate of finite-time thermodynamics has been the bane of all engine design for over two centuries and all optimal protocols implemented hitherto could at best minimize only the loss in the efficiency. The absence of a protocol that allows engines to overcome this limitation has prompted theoretical studies to suggest universality of the postulate in both passive and active engines. Here, we experimentally overcome the power-efficiency tradeoff in a colloidal Stirling engine by selectively reducing relaxation times over only the isochoric processes using system bath interactions generated by electrophoretic noise. Our approach opens a window of cycle times where the tradeoff is reversed and enables the engine to surpass even their quasistatic efficiency. Our strategies finally cut loose engine design from fundamental restrictions and pave way for the development of more efficient and powerful engines and devices.

Suggested Citation

  • Sudeesh Krishnamurthy & Rajesh Ganapathy & A. K. Sood, 2023. "Overcoming power-efficiency tradeoff in a micro heat engine by engineered system-bath interactions," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-42350-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42350-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jesper Koning & Joseph O. Indekeu, 2016. "Engines with ideal efficiency and nonzero power for sublinear transport laws," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 89(11), pages 1-6, November.
    2. Niloyendu Roy & Nathan Leroux & A. K. Sood & Rajesh Ganapathy, 2021. "Tuning the performance of a micrometer-sized Stirling engine through reservoir engineering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    3. Michele Campisi & Rosario Fazio, 2016. "The power of a critical heat engine," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-5, September.
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