| Topic: |
Science > Physics |
| User: |
"Sam Wormley" |
| Date: |
31 Jan 2007 09:24:33 PM |
| Object: |
Maxwell's demon tamed |
Maxwell's demon tamed (Jan 31)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/11/1/26
A manmade molecular machine that can drive a system away from
equilibrium is the first to do so using an "information ratchet", claim
researchers in Scotland. The machine, in which a light-powered gate
controls the transport of molecules, uses a similar principle to
Maxwell's demon, a famous thought experiment devised to challenge the
second law of thermodynamics (Nature 445 523).
.
|
|
| User: "kunzmilan" |
|
| Title: Re: Maxwell's demon tamed |
02 Feb 2007 06:46:57 AM |
|
|
According to the cited page, in the Edingburgh team system, the demon
appetite is satisfied by light energy of incoming molecules. This
energy is spent, it is not returned back to incoming molecules, and it
remains in the system.
kunzmilan
.
|
|
|
|
| User: "Andy Resnick" |
|
| Title: Re: Maxwell's demon tamed |
01 Feb 2007 08:47:35 AM |
|
|
Sam Wormley wrote:
Maxwell's demon tamed (Jan 31)
http://physicsweb.org/article/news/11/1/26
A manmade molecular machine that can drive a system away from
equilibrium is the first to do so using an "information ratchet", claim
researchers in Scotland. The machine, in which a light-powered gate
controls the transport of molecules, uses a similar principle to
Maxwell's demon, a famous thought experiment devised to challenge the
second law of thermodynamics (Nature 445 523).
Wow. Impressive work. I think this goes to show that if physicists wish
to continue producing interesting and relevant research, we need to
become more proficient in chemistry and biology. Or at the very
minimum, more conversant in other fields.
--
Andrew Resnick, Ph.D.
Department of Physiology and Biophysics
Case Western Reserve University
.
|
|
|
|
|
Related Articles |
|
|
