what follows is an attempt to see otto the phenomenologist within wider developments in the field, and to take account of some recent criticisms. everything that is said falls under the general headingof 'introduction to the study of religion'(or 'meta-religionswissenschaft') within this wide field, we shall be specifically concerned with the possibility of a systematic phen...

The methods of finite-time thermodynamics are used to find the optimal time path of an Otto cycle with friction and heat leakage. Optimality is defined by maximization of the work per cycle; the system is constrained to operate at a fixed frequency, so the maximum power is obtained. The result is an improvement of about 10% in the effectiveness (second-law efficiency) of a conventional near-sin...

From the thermodynamic equilibrium properties of a two-level system with variable energy-level gap ∆, and a careful distinction between the Gibbs relation dE = T dS + (E/∆) d∆ and the energy balance equation dE = δQ← − δW→, we infer some important aspects of the second law of thermodynamics and, contrary to a recent suggestion based on the analysis of an Otto-like thermodynamic cycle between tw...

The practical untenability of the quasi-static assumption makes any realistic engine intrinsically irreversible and its operating time finite, thus implying friction effects at short cycle times. An important technological goal is thus the design of maximally efficient engines working at the maximum possible power. We show that, by utilising shortcuts to adiabaticity in a quantum engine cycle, ...

In this study, a simulation model with finite time thermodynamics was presented for an Otto cycle six-stroke engine. engine, two free strokes occur after the exhaust stroke. These cause engine to have higher thermal efficiency. Due high efficiency, these engines can be used in hybrid electric vehicles. effect of residual gas fraction and stroke ratio on effective power efficiency were investiga...

We study a quantum Otto cycle in which the strokes are performed in finite time. The cycle involves energy measurements at the end of each stroke to allow for the respective determination of work. We then optimize for the work and efficiency of the cycle by varying the time spent in the different strokes and find that the optimal value of the ratio of time spent on each stroke goes through sudd...