Physics

Inference

Mathematics

Non-equilibrium thermodynamics

Entropy (arrow of time)

Statistical physics

Mathematical analysis

Artificial intelligence

Generalization

Entropy production

Computer science

Applied mathematics

Thermodynamics

Physical Review Letters

We provide a strategy for the exact inference of the average as well as the fluctuations of the entropy production in nonequilibrium systems in the steady state, from the measurements of arbitrary current fluctuations. Our results are built upon the finite-time generalization of the thermodynamic uncertainty relation, and require only very short time series data from experiments. We illustrate our results with exact and numerical solutions for two colloidal heat engines.

Inferring Entropy Production from Short Experiments