Selfboilers

Selfboilers are a hypothetical concept referring to a device or system capable of heating itself to a boiling point without an external heat source. This is often discussed in the context of thermodynamics and perpetual motion machines, as it would imply the ability to generate energy from nothing, violating fundamental laws of physics. The idea typically involves a closed system where some internal process or material continuously generates heat, eventually leading to a phase transition such as boiling.

The theoretical basis for a selfboiler is problematic. The first law of thermodynamics, the law of conservation of energy, states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. A selfboiler would require a continuous input of energy that is not accounted for by external sources. While some exothermic chemical reactions or nuclear processes release heat, these require specific reactants or fuel, thus not being truly "self-contained" in the way the concept often implies.

Despite being scientifically implausible, the idea of selfboilers persists in speculative fiction and thought experiments. It represents a desire for systems that are self-sufficient and energy-generating. In practical terms, current scientific understanding and technological capabilities do not support the creation of a true selfboiler. Research in areas like energy harvesting and efficient energy conversion focuses on maximizing output from existing sources or harnessing ambient energy, rather than creating energy de novo.