I have always liked asymmetric motion capture. Things like zip-tie, rachets, and tesla valves.
It deeply saddens me that Maxwell’s Demon doesn’t actually work. (At least the extensions to Szilard’s engine and Landauer’s principle don’t incrementally sadden me.)
Every once in a great while, I come across a practical macroscopic application of asymmetric motion capture. Ten years ago, I saw a novel wind energy capture device. The Seabin is the first one I have been excited about since then, so I wanted to share it with you.
More information about Seabins is available from the World Economic Forum.