Designing the Most Energy-Efficient Transitions in Nanoscale Systems

What is it about?

From nanorobots to molecular machines inside living cells, many tiny systems must switch quickly and efficiently between different operating modes. While scientists have long studied how to optimize such switches when systems are at rest, most real processes take place far from equilibrium, where energy is constantly flowing. In our study, we asked how to minimize energy waste when moving a microscopic particle between two such nonequilibrium steady states. Using laser tweezers, we steered a colloidal bead through both simple fluids and more complex, viscoelastic ones that mimic biological environments. Combining experiments with theory and computer simulations, we discovered that the best strategies follow two simple rules: recover as much stored energy as possible, and minimize dissipation during and after the switch. These principles provide practical guidelines for designing future nanoscale devices, enabling them to operate more efficiently in realistic, often messy environments like living matter or complex liquids.

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Why is it important?

Our study shows how tiny machines can switch between active states without wasting energy. Unlike earlier work on systems at rest, this research addresses the real-world case where energy is constantly consumed, as in nanorobots or protein motors inside cells. By combining experiments, theory, and simulations, you discovered simple rules: reuse stored energy and avoid unnecessary dissipation. These principles apply even in complex fluids that mimic biological environments, where past motions affect future behavior. The findings offer clear guidance for designing nanoscale technologies that work efficiently and reliably in the messy, dynamic conditions of everyday life.

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