# Thermodynamic Efficiency in Dissipative Chemistry

## TL;DR

This paper develops a thermodynamic framework for analyzing the efficiency of dissipative chemical systems operating under nonequilibrium conditions, enabling better control and optimization of artificial chemical processes.

## Contribution

It introduces a theoretical approach to quantify energy, work, and dissipation in open chemical systems, advancing the understanding of their thermodynamic efficiency.

## Key findings

- Established thermodynamic notions for dissipative chemistry.
- Provided a method to quantify efficiency of nonequilibrium chemical processes.
- Laid the groundwork for performance analysis of artificial chemical systems.

## Abstract

Chemical processes in closed systems are poorly controllable since they always relax to equilibrium. Living systems avoid this fate and give rise to a much richer diversity of phenomena by operating under nonequilibrium conditions. Recent experiments in dissipative self-assembly also demonstrated that by opening reaction vessels and steering certain concentrations, an ocean of opportunities for artificial synthesis and energy storage emerges. To navigate it, thermodynamic notions of energy, work and dissipation must be established for these open chemical systems. Here, we do so by building upon recent theoretical advances in nonequilibrium statistical physics. As a central outcome, we show how to quantify the efficiency of such chemical operations and lay the foundation for performance analysis of any dissipative chemical process.