Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

DOI

10.3390/sym16070808

Publication Title

Symmetry

Volume

16

Issue

7

Pages

808 (1-23)

Abstract

We have now identified two thermodynamically distinct types (A and B) of energetic processes naturally occurring on Earth. Type-A energy processes, such as classical heat engines, apparently well follow the second law of thermodynamics; Type-B energy processes, such as the newly discovered thermotrophic function that isothermally utilizes environmental heat energy to perform useful work in driving ATP synthesis, follow the first law of thermodynamics (conservation of mass and energy) but do not have to be constrained by the second law, owing to their special asymmetric functions. Several Type-B energy processes such as asymmetric function-gated isothermal electricity production and epicatalysis have been created through human efforts. The innovative efforts in Type-B processes to enable isothermally utilizing endless environmental heat energy could help to liberate all peoples from their dependence on fossil fuel energy, thus helping to reduce greenhouse gas CO2 emissions and control climate change towards a sustainable future for humanity on Earth. In addition to the needed support for further research, development, and commercialization efforts, currently, better messaging and education on Type-B energetic processes are also highly needed to achieve the mission.

Rights

© 2024 by the author.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.

Original Publication Citation

Lee, J. W. (2024). Type-B energetic processes: Their identification and implications. Symmetry, 16(7), 1-23, Article 808. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16070808

ORCID

0000-0003-2525-5870 (Lee)

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