Abstract
We introduce a minimal model of a thermodynamic agent capable of maintaining far-from-equilibrium states by actively harvesting and storing free energy from its environment. Inspired by minimal models of autonomy like Bittorio (Varela et al., 1991), our agent —labelled Thermina—gives shape to a theoretical framework for studying the interplay between thermodynamics and autonomy. By analytically studying the nonequilibrium steady state of the system, we distinguish between regions of ‘autonomous’ states —sustaining themselves out-of-equilibrium by harvesting free energy from the environment— and regions of ‘non-autonomous’ states —close to thermodynamic equilibrium and with very low chances of gathering free energy. Furthermore, we inspect the adaptive mechanisms that allow an agent to regulate its interaction with the environment to robustly maintain its nonequilibrium state. Studying in detail the behaviour of the system, we aim to provide insights into the broader question of how thermodynamic processes contribute to the emergence and maintenance of complex, adaptive behaviour in natural and artificial systems.