The study, led by researchers at the University of Basel, used a technique called laser cooling to manipulate the behavior of atoms in a cavity. By passing laser light through the cavity, the researchers were able to create a situation in which part of the energy was harnessed for useful work, while the other part was dissipated as heat. This is a significant achievement, as it challenges the long-held assumption that thermodynamics, the rules that govern energy, work, and disorder, cannot be applied to quantum systems.

"We were able to show that it is possible to separate the useful energy from the random motion in a quantum system," said Dr. Enrique Sahagún, a researcher at the University of Basel and co-author of the study. "This is a fundamental shift in our understanding of thermodynamics and its application to quantum systems."

The breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new technologies, including quantum batteries and quantum computers. According to Dr. Sahagún, the ability to harness energy from quantum systems could lead to the creation of more efficient and powerful devices.

The researchers' findings also have implications for our understanding of the fundamental laws of physics. "This work challenges our current understanding of thermodynamics and its application to quantum systems," said Dr. Sahagún. "It shows that the rules that govern energy, work, and disorder in classical systems can be applied to quantum systems, at least in certain situations."

The study was published in a recent issue of a leading scientific journal and has generated significant interest in the scientific community. The researchers' findings have been hailed as a major breakthrough and could have significant implications for the development of new technologies.

In related news, researchers at other institutions are also working on similar projects, exploring the application of thermodynamics to quantum systems. According to Dr. Sahagún, the field is rapidly advancing and new breakthroughs are expected in the coming years.

The University of Basel has a long history of research in the field of quantum physics and has made significant contributions to our understanding of the subject. The researchers' findings are a testament to the university's commitment to advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of human understanding.

As research in this area continues to advance, it is likely that we will see significant breakthroughs in the development of new technologies. The ability to harness energy from quantum systems could lead to the creation of more efficient and powerful devices, with significant implications for society.

The study was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the European Research Council. The researchers' findings have been published in a recent issue of a leading scientific journal and are available online.