Information Engines at the Frontiers of Nanoscale Thermodynamics

Jim Crutchfield — crutchfield@ucdavis.edu

Christopher Jarzynski — cjarzyns@umd.edu

Fabio Anzà — fabio.anza@gmail.com

Synthetic nanoscale machines, like their macromolecular biological counterparts, perform tasks that involve the simultaneous manipulation of energy, information, and matter. In this they are information engines systems with two inextricably intertwined characters. The first aspect, call it physical, is the one in which the system is seen embedded in a material substrate that is driven by, manipulates, stores, and dissipates energy. The second aspect, call it informational, is the one in which the system is seen in terms of its spatial and temporal organization generates, stores, loses, and transforms information. Information engines operate by synergistically balancing both aspects to support a given functionality, such as extracting work from a heat reservoir. Recent years witnessed remarkable progress in the theoretical understanding and experimental exploration of how physical systems compute, process, and transfer information. We are on the verge of a synthesis that will allow us to account for a new thermodynamics of information. As we continue to develop a deeper understanding of the world around us, the fundamental question arises, How does nature compute? Numerous researchers, both theorists and experimentalists, are working towards understanding how information is transferred through and transformed at the nanoscale -- with applications ranging from biological systems to quantum devices. The aim of this workshop is to exchange ideas from research in Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics, Classical and Quantum Information, Statistical Mechanics, Biophysics, and Nonlinear Dynamics. These questions are relevant in a wide variety of fields including Nanoscale Statistical Mechanics, Finite-Time Thermodynamics, Quantum Thermodynamics, Quantum Computation, Quantum Communication, Quantum Optimal Control Theory, and Biological Physics.

The registration fee for participation in this workshop has been subsidized by a grant from the Army Research Office.

We wish to ensure an intimate workshop setting, with no more than 20 to 25 participants. If you are interested in attending but have not received an invitation, please contact the workshop organizer before registering.

Sessions typically run mornings and late afternoons, leaving mid-day free for informal collaboration.

Travel to Telluride can be expensive; please assess your own potential travel costs before registering.

Please book your travel plans! The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is the most reliable and convenient airport for Telluride.

Telluride Science can provide lodging starting as low as $215/night during off-peak weeks and as low as $250/night during peak-season at the Mountainside Inn. These affordable lodging options are limited and available first-come, first-serve. To encourage participants to secure affordable lodging, we offer a $100 discount on lodging provided through Telluride Science that is secured before the Early Bird deadline. Additionally, we work with many lodging providers in Telluride and Mountain Village to offer discounts between 10-15% off your total lodging balance. Additional information provided with registration.

If you have more questions about lodging, reach out to Sara at sara@telluridescience.org.

Registrations may be refunded less a $25 cancellation fee. If cancelled before the lodging cancellation deadline, lodging payments are refundable less a $100 cancellation fee. It is each participant's responsibility to confirm and understand their own lodging cancellation deadline. Travel insurance is highly recommended.