For fluctuating thermodynamic currents in non-equilibrium steady states, the thermodynamic uncertainty relation expresses a fundamental

trade-off between precision, i.e. small fluctuations, and dissipation. I will review generalisations and implications of this

relation, including bounds on large deviation functions and applications to molecular motors and heat engines.

The second part of my talk will be concerned with the thermodynamics of active matter systems, which can drive engines that autonomously

deliver mechanical work against an external mechanical force. We explore design principles for such engines and compare their power and

efficiency to idealised work extraction mechanisms. A mean field approach reveals that the interaction with the passive particle can

mediate cooperativity between otherwise non-interacting active particles, leading to an enhanced efficiency.