Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin
A quantum heat engine that simultaneously provides work and refrigeration (phys.org)
3 points by pseudolus 5 days ago | hide | past | favorite | 1 comment
 help



From the abstract of the research paper:

> when a quantum system undergoes two thermalization processes in an indefinite causal order, it can absorb heat even if its initial temperature was higher than the temperature of the reservoirs involved in the two thermalizations.

It looks like they are using 3 temperatures instead of only 2 as in a real Otto engine. It's super suspicious and I'm almost sure they are using some kind of creative accounting.

If temp A > temp B > temp C , then it's possible that some heat flows from A and C to B. If you forget to account A, then it look like the heat flows from C to B.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2026 batch! Applications are open till July 27.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: