Maxwell's Demon Soon A Reality?

Posted by Zonk on Thursday February 1, 2007 @09:23AM from the chomp-chomp-evil-snacking dept.

DMiax writes "Reuters reports that a group of scientists from University of Edimburgh may have realized a nanomolecular engine - a Maxwell's Demon. The device selects and traps other molecules based on their direction of motion. Physicist James Maxwell first imagined the nano-scale device in 1867, and the research team cites him as the basis for their understanding of how lights, heat, and molecules interact. The device is powered by light, and may spur advances in nano-scale technology to new heights in coming years."

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WTF? by arkham6 · 2007-02-01 09:33 · Score: 4, Insightful

Is this article written for scientific morons?

"it does not need energy because it is powered by light."

As I understand it, the object the demon works on has to be isolated from the universe. If this 'demon' is powered by light, its not isolated, because outside influences are acting on it.

I think maxwell's thought experiment still stands, thanks come again.