869 shaares
A QUANTUM HEAT ENGINE THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDES WORK AND REFRIGERATION
https://phys.org/news/2026-07-quantum-simultaneously-refrigeration.html
The laws of thermodynamics state that heat naturally flows from hotter systems or regions to colder systems or regions until a state of thermal equilibrium is reached. This simple principle underpins the operation of numerous technologies, ranging from refrigerators to power plants.
Yet quantum systems, which are governed by quantum mechanics, can exhibit unusual behaviors that cannot be explained by classical physics. These behaviors could be used to create innovative thermal devices.
Researchers at Qufu Normal University, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Palermo recently observed an anomalous thermal effect that allows a quantum system to absorb heat from colder thermal reservoirs. This unusual effect was leveraged to develop a new quantum heat engine that simultaneously produces work and refrigeration.
https://phys.org/news/2026-07-quantum-simultaneously-refrigeration.html
The laws of thermodynamics state that heat naturally flows from hotter systems or regions to colder systems or regions until a state of thermal equilibrium is reached. This simple principle underpins the operation of numerous technologies, ranging from refrigerators to power plants.
Yet quantum systems, which are governed by quantum mechanics, can exhibit unusual behaviors that cannot be explained by classical physics. These behaviors could be used to create innovative thermal devices.
Researchers at Qufu Normal University, the University of Hong Kong and the University of Palermo recently observed an anomalous thermal effect that allows a quantum system to absorb heat from colder thermal reservoirs. This unusual effect was leveraged to develop a new quantum heat engine that simultaneously produces work and refrigeration.
