Physics

Heating and cooling are fundamentally asymmetric and evolve along distinct pathways

M. Ibáñez, C. Dieball, et al.

This groundbreaking research by M. Ibáñez, C. Dieball, A. Lasanta, A. Godec, and R. A. Rica reveals that microscale systems exhibit a fascinating asymmetry in thermal relaxation, heating up faster than they cool down. Utilizing an optically trapped colloidal particle, the team introduces a new theoretical framework called thermal kinematics, redefining our understanding of energy conversion and thermal management in microscopic devices.