Demon in the machine: learning to extract work and absorb entropy from fluctuating nanosystems

TL;DR

This paper develops neural-network feedback-control protocols using Monte Carlo and genetic algorithms to extract work and absorb entropy from fluctuating nanosystems, without prior system knowledge.

Contribution

It introduces a learning framework that relies solely on accessible measurements, scalable to complex systems, for controlling nanosystems in thermodynamic processes.

Findings

Successfully extracts work from colloidal particles in optical traps.

Absorbs entropy in Ising models during magnetization reversal.

Framework is applicable to experimental nanosystem control.

Abstract

We use Monte Carlo and genetic algorithms to train neural-network feedback-control protocols for simulated fluctuating nanosystems. These protocols convert the information obtained by the feedback process into heat or work, allowing the extraction of work from a colloidal particle pulled by an optical trap and the absorption of entropy by an Ising model undergoing magnetization reversal. The learning framework requires no prior knowledge of the system, depends only upon measurements that are accessible experimentally, and scales to systems of considerable complexity. It could be used in the laboratory to learn protocols for fluctuating nanosystems that convert measurement information into stored work or heat.