Feature Quantum Physics

Ultrasmall engines bend second law of thermodynamics

Quantum entanglement may help single atoms drive heat machines

illustration depicting bending the second law of thermodynamics

THE LAWS OF HEAT GO SMALL  Car engines and batteries run because of the second law of thermodynamics, which appears to work, with just a little bending, for ultrasmall engines in the quantum realm as well. 

Mary Kate McDevitt

By Andrew Grant

This article is only available to Science News subscribers.

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address to access our archives.

Not a subscriber?

Science News is a nonprofit.

Support us by subscribing now.

More Stories from Science News on Quantum Physics

  1. inside of the g-2 experiment at Fermilab
    Particle Physics

    Muon magnetism could hint at a breakdown of physics’ standard model

    By Emily Conover
  2. illustration of a molecule acting as a quantum bit
    Quantum Physics

    ‘Designer molecules’ could create tailor-made quantum devices

    By Emily Conover
  3. illustration of drones above a city
    Quantum Physics

    Drones could help create a quantum internet

    By Emily Conover
  4. illustration of quantum computer light channels
    Quantum Physics

    The new light-based quantum computer Jiuzhang has achieved quantum supremacy

    By Emily Conover
  5. Atoms
    Quantum Physics

    Galileo’s famous gravity experiment holds up, even with individual atoms

    By Emily Conover
  6. positronium with an electron in blue and a positron in red
    Quantum Physics

    A measurement of positronium’s energy levels confounds scientists

    By Emily Conover
  7. Quantum computing illustration
    Quantum Physics

    To live up to the hype, quantum computers must repair their error problems

    By Emily Conover
  8. International Space Station
    Quantum Physics

    This weird quantum state of matter was made in orbit for the first time

    By Emily Conover

From the Nature Index

Paid Content