EPL ( IF 1.8 ) Pub Date : 2021-05-17 , DOI: 10.1209/0295-5075/134/10003 tienne Fodor 1 , Michael E. Cates 2
The study of thermal heat engines was pivotal to establishing the principles of equilibrium thermodynamics, with implications far wider than only engine optimization. For nonequilibrium systems, which by definition dissipate energy even at rest, how to best convert such dissipation into useful work is still largely an outstanding question, with similar potential to illuminate general physical principles. We review recent theoretical progress in studying the performances of engines operating with active matter, where particles are driven by individual self-propulsion. We distinguish two main classes, either autonomous engines exploiting a particle current, or cyclic engines applying periodic transformation to the system, and present the strategies put forward so far for optimization. We delineate the limitations of previous studies, and propose some future perspectives, with a view to building a consistent thermodynamic framework far from equilibrium.
中文翻译:
主动发动机:热力学向前发展
热力发动机的研究对于建立平衡热力学原理至关重要,其影响远不止发动机优化。对于非平衡系统,根据定义,即使在静止时也会耗散能量,如何最好地将这种耗散转化为有用的功仍然是一个悬而未决的问题,具有阐明一般物理原理的类似潜力。我们回顾了研究使用活性物质运行的发动机性能方面的最新理论进展,其中粒子由个体自推进驱动。我们区分了两大类,要么是利用粒子流的自主引擎,要么是对系统应用周期性变换的循环引擎,并介绍了迄今为止提出的优化策略。我们描述了先前研究的局限性,