Quantum Nanodevice tagged posts

New Quantum Nanodevice can simultaneously act as a Heat Engine and a Refrigerator

image of an engine and a refrigerator
 RIKEN researchers have produced a quantum nanodevice that can behave both as an engine and a refrigerator—at the same time. Left: © Martin Steinthaler/Getty; Right: © lilographik/Getty

A multitasking nanomachine that can act as a heat engine and a refrigerator at the same time has been created by RIKEN engineers. The device is one of the first to test how quantum effects, which govern the behavior of particles on the smallest scale, might one day be exploited to enhance the performance of nanotechnologies.

Conventional heat engines and refrigerators work by connecting two pools of fluid. Compressing one pool causes its fluid to heat up, while rapidly expanding the other pool cools its fluid...

Read More