Search results for "Carnot cycle"

Periodic Controls in Step 2 Strictly Convex Sub-Finsler Problems

2020

We consider control-linear left-invariant time-optimal problems on step 2 Carnot groups with a strictly convex set of control parameters (in particular, sub-Finsler problems). We describe all Casimirs linear in momenta on the dual of the Lie algebra. In the case of rank 3 Lie groups we describe the symplectic foliation on the dual of the Lie algebra. On this basis we show that extremal controls are either constant or periodic. Some related results for other Carnot groups are presented. peerReviewed

Combined theoretical and experimental analysis of processes determining cathode performance in solid oxide fuel cells

2013

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are under intensive investigation since the 1980's as these devices open the way for ecologically clean direct conversion of the chemical energy into electricity, avoiding the efficiency limitation by Carnot's cycle for thermochemical conversion. However, the practical development of SOFC faces a number of unresolved fundamental problems, in particular concerning the kinetics of the electrode reactions, especially oxygen reduction reaction. We review recent experimental and theoretical achievements in the current understanding of the cathode performance by exploring and comparing mostly three materials: (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSM), (La,Sr)(Co,Fe)O3 (LSCF) and (Ba,Sr)(Co,…

Local minimizers and gamma-convergence for nonlocal perimeters in Carnot groups

2020

We prove the local minimality of halfspaces in Carnot groups for a class of nonlocal functionals usually addressed as nonlocal perimeters. Moreover, in a class of Carnot groups in which the De Giorgi's rectifiability Theorem holds, we provide a lower bound for the $\Gamma$-liminf of the rescaled energy in terms of the horizontal perimeter.

Nanoscale Heat Engine Beyond the Carnot Limit

2013

We consider a quantum Otto cycle for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator coupled to a squeezed thermal reservoir. We show that the efficiency at maximum power increases with the degree of squeezing, surpassing the standard Carnot limit and approaching unity exponentially for large squeezing parameters. We further propose an experimental scheme to implement such a model system by using a single trapped ion in a linear Paul trap with special geometry. Our analytical investigations are supported by Monte Carlo simulations that demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal. For realistic trap parameters, an increase of the efficiency at maximum power of up to a factor of 4 is reached, largely ex…

Convex functions on Carnot Groups

2007

We consider the definition and regularity properties of convex functions in Carnot groups. We show that various notions of convexity in the subelliptic setting that have appeared in the literature are equivalent. Our point of view is based on thinking of convex functions as subsolutions of homogeneous elliptic equations.

Infinitesimal Hilbertianity of Weighted Riemannian Manifolds

2018

AbstractThe main result of this paper is the following: anyweightedRiemannian manifold$(M,g,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$,i.e., a Riemannian manifold$(M,g)$endowed with a generic non-negative Radon measure$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$, isinfinitesimally Hilbertian, which means that its associated Sobolev space$W^{1,2}(M,g,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$is a Hilbert space.We actually prove a stronger result: the abstract tangent module (à la Gigli) associated with any weighted reversible Finsler manifold$(M,F,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$can be isometrically embedded into the space of all measurable sections of the tangent bundle of$M$that are$2$-integrable with respect to$\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$.By following the…

Sets with constant normal in Carnot groups: properties and examples

2019

We analyze subsets of Carnot groups that have intrinsic constant normal, as they appear in the blowup study of sets that have finite sub-Riemannian perimeter. The purpose of this paper is threefold. First, we prove some mild regularity and structural results in arbitrary Carnot groups. Namely, we show that for every constant-normal set in a Carnot group its sub-Riemannian-Lebesgue representative is regularly open, contractible, and its topological boundary coincides with the reduced boundary and with the measure-theoretic boundary. We infer these properties from a cone property. Such a cone will be a semisubgroup with nonempty interior that is canonically associated with the normal directio…

Analytical Expressions for Radiative Losses in Solar Cells

2019

Analytical expressions for the fundamental losses in single junction solar cells are revised and improved. The losses are, as far as possible, described using parameters with clear physical interpretations. One important improvement compared to earlier work is the use of Lambert’s W function, which allows for analytical expressions for the voltage and current at the maximum power point. Other improvements include the use of Stefan Boltzmann’s law to describe the incoming energy flux as well as taking into account the fermionic nature of the electrons when calculating the thermalization loss. A new expression, which combines emission, Boltzmann and Carnot losses, is presented. Finally, an ex…

Sharp capacity estimates for annuli in weighted $$\mathbf {R}^n$$ R n and in metric spaces

2016

We obtain estimates for the nonlinear variational capacity of annuli in weighted $$\mathbf {R}^n$$ and in metric spaces. We introduce four different (pointwise) exponent sets, show that they all play fundamental roles for capacity estimates, and also demonstrate that whether an end point of an exponent set is attained or not is important. As a consequence of our estimates we obtain, for instance, criteria for points to have zero (resp. positive) capacity. Our discussion holds in rather general metric spaces, including Carnot groups and many manifolds, but it is just as relevant on weighted $$\mathbf {R}^n$$ . Indeed, to illustrate the sharpness of our estimates, we give several examples of …

2020

Abstract This paper is related to the problem of finding a good notion of rectifiability in sub-Riemannian geometry. In particular, we study which kind of results can be expected for smooth hypersurfaces in Carnot groups. Our main contribution will be a consequence of the following result: there exists a C ∞ -hypersurface S without characteristic points that has uncountably many pairwise non-isomorphic tangent groups on every positive-measure subset. The example is found in a Carnot group of topological dimension 8, it has Hausdorff dimension 12 and so we use on it the Hausdorff measure H 12 . As a consequence, we show that any Lipschitz map defined on a subset of a Carnot group of Hausdorf…