Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 224, 879–889 (2015)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2015-02433-8

Regular Article

Universality of efficiency at maximum power

Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

Received: 24 November 2014
Revised: 7 May 2015
Published online: 17 July 2015

Abstract

Universal properties of efficiency at maximum power are investigated in a general setting. In particular, it is demonstrated how successive symmetries placed upon the dynamics manifest themselves at the macroscopic level. A general condition is derived under which thermodynamic devices are able to attain a reversible operation. This article is supplemented with comments by M. Moreau and Y. Pomeau.