Thermodynamic State Decay for Sustainable Blockchain Architecture

Abstract

We present EvaporChain, a Layer 1 blockchain architecture that addresses the fundamental sustainability problem of perpetual state growth. Every state object in EvaporChain carries an energy parameter that depletes over time according to a configurable half-life decay function. Objects whose energy reaches zero enter a grace period and, if not refreshed, evaporate from active state — leaving behind a compact ghost record in a Merkle Mountain Range accumulator. This dual-commitment structure (Verkle trie for active state, MMR for evaporated state) enables the chain to maintain a complete audit trail while allowing active state to shrink. Every block transition is folded into a Nova IVC recursive proof, producing a constant-size proof regardless of chain history. All signatures use ML-DSA (NIST FIPS 204), providing post-quantum security from genesis. The result is a blockchain that can, for the first time in the history of distributed ledger technology, become lighter over time.