Tiny Quantum Engines Reveal Useful Energy Hiding in “Waste Heat”

Scientists discover how a one-atom quantum engine can turn ‘waste’ light into useful energy

Researchers are developing new ways to understand energy in tiny quantum machines. They argue that escaping light may still perform useful work elsewhere. This work is part of a broader effort in quantum thermodynamics. Understanding energy flow is increasingly important as devices shrink. This could prevent useful energy from being automatically counted as loss.

Tiny quantum engines reveal useful energy hiding in “waste heat”

A tiny machine made from just an atom and particles of light may sound impossibly simple, but it raises a surprisingly difficult question: what counts as heat, and what energy can still do useful work? University of Basel researchers have developed a theoretical framework that brings quantum physics and thermodynamics into better agreement for these microscopic “light engines.”