Tag

Maxwells Demon

All articles tagged with #maxwells demon

Quantum Time Reversal Realized: Measuring to Reverse Time's Arrow and Harvest Energy
science7 days ago

Quantum Time Reversal Realized: Measuring to Reverse Time's Arrow and Harvest Energy

Researchers have developed quantum-control protocols that, by integrating quantum measurements with feedback, can suppress or reverse the arrow of time in quantum systems. By designing a control Hamiltonian that mirrors measurement effects, they create time-reversed or distorted trajectories and even a measurement-based engine that extracts energy from the act of observation. The work—published in Physical Review X—aims to improve quantum state control and could enable new methods for powering quantum computers and batteries, with planned experimental tests using superconducting qubits.

Discovery of a Potential Physics 'Demon' Hidden within Cellular Structures
science2 years ago

Discovery of a Potential Physics 'Demon' Hidden within Cellular Structures

Researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have discovered that proteins called ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters, found in cell membranes, exhibit features similar to Maxwell's demon, a hypothetical intelligent being that sorts molecules based on their energy. These ABC transporters, present in almost every living organism, use energy from ATP molecules to control the flow of molecules in and out of cells, regulating the cell's environment. This discovery provides insights into how cells manage molecule import and export, and sheds light on the fundamental aspects of life's building blocks. The research has been published in Communications Physics.