Successful experiment in turning information into energy

    September 27, 2010 a group of Japanese scientists led by Soichi Toyabe (Shoichi Toyabe) published the results of an interesting experiment , which serves as a proof of the practical possibility of converting information into energy according to the principle of the hypothetical machine Silarda . Under the influence of constant feedback control (changing two electromagnetic fields), scientists were able to force a polystyrene particle to climb a spiral staircase, receiving energy from the Brownian motion of molecules in the surrounding air.


    The illustration from a scientific work depicts Maxwell's demon , who supposedly helps in the experiment.

    The scientific work “Information heat engine: converting information to energy by feedback control” is in the public domain, you can familiarize yourself with the experiment.

    Actually, the essence of the experience is shown in the diagram. Two electromagnetic fields with an oscillation frequency of 1 MHz. The movement of the particle was monitored by a video camera under a microscope (every 1.1 ms, exposure 0.3 ms), and each time when jumping to a new step of the ladder, the direction of the electric fields changed so that the particle did not roll back. Then the Brownian motion threw her to the next step of the ladder - and so on.



    As a result, “hot” molecules gather in one part of the stairs, and “cold” remain below, although initially the equilibrium thermodynamic system did not receive any energy from the outside. It was not heated or highlighted. The system received from the outside only information about the direction of electromagnetic fields (roughly, 0 or 1).

    It turns out that the Japanese made the first engine that can turn information into energy. According to experts , this invention will revolutionize the energy supply of nanomachines.

    Brief historical background. In 1929, American nuclear physicist Leo Sylard described a theoretical construction ( Silard’s machine ) in which a hypothetical intelligent creature of a microscopic size ( Maxwell’s demon ) pumps energy from an isothermal medium and turns it into work.

    After a fierce debate that lasted 80 years, physicists came to the conclusion that Maxwell's demons did not violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Thus, Silard’s machine can in principle be created in reality. However, the experiments performed so far have not provided a clear confirmation of this hypothesis.

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