Autonomous circular heat engine

Phys Rev E. 2022 Oct;106(4-1):044104. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.106.044104.

Abstract

A dynamical model of a highly efficient heat engine is proposed, where an applied temperature difference maintains the motion of particles around the circuit consisting of two asymmetric narrow channels, in one of which the current flows against the applied thermodynamic forces. Numerical simulations and linear-response analysis suggest that, in the absence of frictional losses, the Carnot efficiency can be achieved in the thermodynamic limit.