Seminar “Geometric Methods for Optimal Finite-time Control of Nanoscale Systems”

Date

Friday, 15th May 2015

Time

12:00 am

Place

University of Barcelona
Faculty of Physics Building
Room 3.20, 3rd floor 

Speaker

Dr Grant Rostkoff, University of California, Berkeley (USA)

Abstract

Biological machines have evolved to produce useful work in a finite time by operating out-of-equilibrium, but we do not know how evolution has guided the design of these machines: Are there generic design principles that direct motors towards higher efficiency? To answer this question, one must first calculate a finite-time efficiency, which poses a significant challenge—tools of equilibrium statistical mechanics fail to describe the relationship between a protocol and the efficiency of a machine subject to that protocol. Using a geometric framework, I will describe a procedure for predicting the protocol that minimizes the dissipated work during an irreversible process.