There are four usual driving forces in stochastic thermal machines. They are mechanical work, information, temperature gradient and chemical potentials. In this talk I will discuss the competition between these driving forces in some exactly solvable models of the thermal machines. The operation of these thermal machines in different regimes is explored. Also, I will clarify the validity of the second law of thermodynamics within these thermal machines. Finally, possible experimental implementation schemes of some of these models will be discussed.

Haitao Quan obtained his bachelor’s degree and his PhD from Central South University and Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2002 and 2007, respectively. From 2007 to 2010 he was a postdoctoral fellow in Los Alamos National Laboratory. From 2010 to 2012 he was a research associate at the University of Maryland, College Park. He joined Peking University as an assistant professor in Dec. 2012. His main research interests focus on nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and quantum thermodynamics. He has published more than 20 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals with a total citation of more than 1300 times.