Yang's Energy-Efficiency Cycle (YEC) is the core operational model of Energy-Efficiency Theory (EET). It consists of five stages: Disturbance → Response → Stabilization → Constraint → Transition. Unlike thermodynamic cycles (Carnot, Otto) or biochemical cycles (Krebs), YEC does not describe the circulation of matter or energy but rather the dynamic sequence of energy allocation patterns within any steady-state system. This paper systematically defines each stage, specifies the roles of the core EET parameters (Ėₘain, Ėᵣesp, Ėdiss, η, Eb, β), and demonstrates cross-scale applicability through examples: atomic transitions, chemical reactions, cellular signaling, cognitive cycles, and social innovation. The relationship between YEC and the energy ratio η is analyzed: η>1 during response, η<1 during constraint, and η=1 at resonance. The cycle serves as a methodological template for analyzing any non-equilibrium steady-state system. Three falsifiable predictions are proposed. YEC does not challenge any mainstream theory but provides a unified descriptive language across physics, chemistry, biology, cognitive science, and social sciences.
Hongpu Yang (2026) studied this question.