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The Crucial Role of Thermodynamic Gates in Living Systems

David W. Snoke

David W. Snoke

Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, USA
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Snoke, David W.
  
Dec 12, 2024
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Article Category: Original study
Published Online: Dec 12, 2024
Page range: 42 - 56
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/biocosmos-2024-0004
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© 2024 David W. Snoke, published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Figure 1.

The solution of the quantum Boltzmann equation for various times after starting in a nonequilibrium initial state, for a low-density, two dimensional gas with collisional interactions. The times are given in terms of τ, the average collision time. Image credit: Hassan Alnatah.
The solution of the quantum Boltzmann equation for various times after starting in a nonequilibrium initial state, for a low-density, two dimensional gas with collisional interactions. The times are given in terms of τ, the average collision time. Image credit: Hassan Alnatah.

Figure 2.

A generalized parameter space for a non-closed subsystem, with parameters p and q, in which only certain ranges of parameter values, which we can call “surfaces,” correspond to transition into or out of the subsystem.
A generalized parameter space for a non-closed subsystem, with parameters p and q, in which only certain ranges of parameter values, which we can call “surfaces,” correspond to transition into or out of the subsystem.

Figure 3.

Log plot of the solution of the quantum Boltzmann equation for collisional equilibration in the t → ∞ limit, for a low-density, two-dimensional gas, for three values of the leakage time to the outside of the system, offset by a steady-state replenishment with a N(E) profile of the same form as the initial state of Figure 1, to keep the total density constant. The solid lines correspond to different values of the leakage time in units of the average collision-scattering time, τ. The dashed line corresponding to the infinite-lifetime case is equal to a thermal Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, N(E) ∝ e−E/kBT. Image credit: Hassan Alnatah.
Log plot of the solution of the quantum Boltzmann equation for collisional equilibration in the t → ∞ limit, for a low-density, two-dimensional gas, for three values of the leakage time to the outside of the system, offset by a steady-state replenishment with a N(E) profile of the same form as the initial state of Figure 1, to keep the total density constant. The solid lines correspond to different values of the leakage time in units of the average collision-scattering time, τ. The dashed line corresponding to the infinite-lifetime case is equal to a thermal Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, N(E) ∝ e−E/kBT. Image credit: Hassan Alnatah.

Figure 4.

The solution of the diffusion equation (15) for a nonequilibrium initial state, for D = 1. From Ref. [14].
The solution of the diffusion equation (15) for a nonequilibrium initial state, for D = 1. From Ref. [14].

Figure 5.

Standard model of the four cycles of a Carnot engine: 1) isothermal expansion with heat input, 2) adiabatic expansion with temperature drop, 3) isothermal compression with heat input, and 4) adiabatic compression with temperature increase.
Standard model of the four cycles of a Carnot engine: 1) isothermal expansion with heat input, 2) adiabatic expansion with temperature drop, 3) isothermal compression with heat input, and 4) adiabatic compression with temperature increase.

Figure 6.

Illustration of the action of a general gate across a thermodynamic interface.
Illustration of the action of a general gate across a thermodynamic interface.

Figure 7.

Typical transistor symbolism and terminology. From Ref. [23].
Typical transistor symbolism and terminology. From Ref. [23].
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