Thermodynamic Cascade Efficiency Simulator

Simulate energy flow through nested Matrioshka brain shells to determine viable layer count and total system efficiency. Each shell operates as a Carnot-limited heat engine, extracting useful work from the temperature gradient before passing waste heat outward.

Cascade Parameters

2 4 7
800 K 1150 K 1500 K
20 K 60 K 100 K
20% 35% 50%
80% 90% 99%

Temperature Profile

Inner
1200 K
Shell 1
386 K
Shell 2
124 K
Outer
40.0 K

Single Cascade Mode

Simulates a 4-shell (3-stage) cascade from 1200 K to 40 K with 35% TPV efficiency.

System Physics

Max Carnot Efficiency 96.7%
Temperature Ratio 30.0x
Solar Input 3.828 x 10^26 W
Min Viable Power 10^18 W (1 EW)

Energy Cascade Waterfall

Run a simulation to see the energy cascade waterfall chart

Simulation Results

Configure the cascade parameters and run the simulation to see results.

Research Question Addressed

RQ-3a-1

Thermodynamic cascade efficiency limits: What is the maximum achievable energy extraction efficiency for a nested Matrioshka brain shell architecture, considering Carnot limits, TPV conversion losses, spectral selectivity, and radiator area constraints?

Physics Model

Temperature Spacing

Shell temperatures are log-spaced between T_inner and T_outer, producing geometric progression that maximizes Carnot efficiency per stage.

Energy Extraction

Each shell extracts power limited by Carnot efficiency, reduced by TPV conversion and spectral selectivity losses.

Radiator Scaling

Radiator area scales as P / (sigma * T^4). Cold outer shells require enormously larger radiators due to T^4 dependence.

Monte Carlo Variation

Stochastic parameters: TPV efficiency (+/-15%), spectral selectivity (+/-5%), inter-shell thermal leakage (+/-10%).

Project Dyson — A volunteer-led nonprofit. All plans and research are publicly available.