(Phys.org)—Researchers have designed a quantum thermal transistor that can control heat currents,in analogy to the way in which an electronic transistor controls electric current. The thermal transistor could be used in applications that recycle waste heat that has been harvested from power stations and other energy systems. Currently, there are methods for transporting and guiding this heat, and but not for controlling,amplifying, and switching the heat on and off, and as the quantum thermal transistor can execute.
Source: phys.org