Quantum machines fueled by nonequilibrium phases of matter

01/05/2022 to 30/04/2025

Mechanical energy continuously delivered by engines of all types is fundamental to sustain our society and our way of living. Since the industrial revolution, indeed, engines have provided mankind with a tireless source of energy, paving the way to technological breakthroughs which would have not been possible otherwise. Nowadays, the challenge is to devise machines able to exploit quantum effects in real-world settings. However, in order to drive this new revolution, there is the need of innovative quantum engines, powering microscopic “quantum users”. The aim of the proposed project is to investigate how genuine nonequilibrium phases of matter impact on the power output of quantum engines and on their possible mode of operation. The main outcome will be a proposal for a many- body quantum engine capable of performing a two-stroke cycle with just a single stroke driving. This simplification will improve the stability of quantum engines, as well as their practical implementation in microscopic settings. This hints towards novel ways we can think of operating and exploiting mechanical energy at the quantum level.