On Mon, May 13, 2013 at 2:23 PM, Harry Veeder <hveeder...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Viewpoint: Crystals of Time > > Researchers propose how to realize time crystals, structures whose > lowest-energy states are periodic both in time and space. > > http://physics.aps.org/articles/v5/116 > > quote <<Time crystals may sound dangerously close to a perpetual motion > machine, but it is worth emphasizing one key difference: while time > crystals would indeed move periodically in an eternal loop, rotation occurs > in the ground state, with no work being carried out nor any usable energy > being extracted from the system. Finding time crystals would not amount to > a violation of well-established principles of thermodynamics. If they can > be created, time crystals may have intriguing applications, from precise > timekeeping to the simulation of ground states in quantum computing > schemes. But they may be much more than advanced devices. Could the > postulated cyclic evolution of the Universe be seen as a manifestation of > spontaneous symmetry breaking akin to that of a time crystal? If so, who is > the observer inducing—by a measurement—the breaking of the symmetry of > time?>> end quote > > > Comment: If the time crystal continues to "beat" at the same rate despite > being measured then it violates the second law of thermodynamics. > > > Harry > Also, if a system can produce endless amounts of information but no useful energy, that should be enough to call it a perpetual motion machine! THE MEANING OF MOTION IS NOT REDUCEABLE TO ENERGY. harry
