Bryan Roberts Rewrites Thermodynamics with Gauge Theory at LSE

Roberts replaces the classical first law equality of work and heat with a geometric projection from a principal bundle encoding hidden energy states. This structure imports proven results on gauge connections to derive entropy as a section of the observable base space, applicable uniformly to engines, molecular junctions, and black-hole horizons. The approach resolves longstanding ambiguities in defining thermodynamic variables when system boundaries are not sharply specified.

Traditional thermodynamics equates heat and work because both alter internal energy, yet only work is directly controllable via pistons or fields. Gauge structure formalizes this asymmetry: the curvature of the connection encodes entropy production while its horizontal lifts recover the first law. Preliminary hints of a thermodynamic Aharonov-Bohm phase appear in molecular-junction conductance data, paralleling electromagnetic gauge effects.

Climate and engine-efficiency models rest on the same thermodynamic identities now placed on firmer geometric footing. If the bundle formulation survives experimental tests, revised entropy calculations could alter predictions of irreversible losses in nanoscale devices and in general-relativistic thermodynamics by several percent.

Next steps require controlled measurements of phase-like shifts in heat flow through ring-shaped molecular junctions to confirm the predicted gauge-invariant observables.