Related papers: Performance Optimization in Two-dimensional Browni…
We investigate stochastic thermodynamics of a two-particles Langevin system. Each particle is in contact with a heat bath at different temperatures $T_1$ and $T_2~(<T_1)$, respectively. Particles are trapped by a harmonic potential and…
As a first step in the project of ratchet optimisation, the optimal driving waveform among a wide class of admissible functions for an overdamped, adiabatic rocking ratchet is shown to be dichotomous. `Optimum' is defined as that which…
Brownian rotors play an important role in biological systems and in future nano-technological applications. However the mechanisms determining their dynamics, efficiency and performance remain to be characterized. Here the F0 portion of the…
We analyze the performance of a Brownian ratchet in the presence of geometrical constraints. A two-state model that describes the kinetics of molecular motors is used to characterize the energetic cost when the motor proceeds under…
The maximum power of Feynman's ratchet as a heat engine and the corresponding efficiency ($\eta_\ast$) are investigated by optimizing both the internal parameter and the external load. When a perfect ratchet device (no heat exchange between…
It is well-known that Brownian ratchets can exhibit current reversals, wherein the sign of the current switches as a function of the driving frequency. We introduce a spatial discretization of such a two-dimensional Brownian ratchet to…
The flashing Brownian ratchet is a stochastic process that alternates between two regimes, a one-dimensional Brownian motion and a Brownian ratchet, the latter being a one-dimensional diffusion process that drifts towards a minimum of a…
We give an overview over recent studies on the model of Active Brownian Motion (ABM) coupled to reservoirs providing free energy which may be converted into kinetic energy of motion. First, we present an introduction to a general concept of…
Feedback flashing ratchets are thermal rectifiers that use information on the state of the system to operate the switching on and off a periodic potential. We discuss different strategies for this operation with the aim of maximizing the…
We study a system of independent Brownian particles in a flashing ratchet potential that can be turned on or off depending on the position of the particles, with the aim of maximising the speed of the center of mass in the long run. First,…
Brownian motors, or ratchets, are devices which "rectify" Brownian motion, i.e. they can generate a current of particles out of unbiased fluctuations. The ratchet effect is a very general phenomenon which applies to a wide range of physical…
Collisional Brownian engines have recently gained attention as alternatives to conventional nanoscale engines. However, a comprehensive optimization of their performance, which could serve as a benchmark for future engine designs, is still…
In order to optimize the directed motion of an inertial Brownian motor, we identify the operating conditions that both maximize the motor current and minimize its dispersion. Extensive numerical simulation of an inertial rocked ratchet…
The energetic optimization problem, e.g., searching for the optimal switch- ing protocol of certain system parameters to minimize the input work, has been extensively studied by stochastic thermodynamics. In current work, we study this…
The muscle contraction, operation of ATP synthase, maintaining the shape of a cell are believed to be secured by motor proteins, which can be modelled using the Brownian ratchet mechanism. We consider the randomly flashing ratchet model of…
The transport of interacting Brownian particles in a periodic asymmetric (ratchet) substrate is studied numerically. In a zero-temperature regime, the system behaves as a reversible step motor, undergoing multiple sign reversals of the…
We study diffusion properties of an inertial Brownian motor moving on a ratchet substrate, i.e. a periodic structure with broken reflection symmetry. The motor is driven by an unbiased time-periodic symmetric force which takes the system…
We consider the transport of rigid objects with internal structure in a flashing ratchet potential by investigating the overdamped behavior of a rod-like chain of evenly spaced point particles. In 1D, analytical arguments show that the…
An asymmetric Brownian particle subjected to an external time-dependent force may acquire a net drift velocity, and thus operate as a motor or ratchet, even if the external force is represented by an unbiased time-periodic function or by a…
For systems in an externally controllable time-dependent potential, the optimal protocol minimizes the mean work spent in a finite-time transition between two given equilibrium states. For overdamped dynamics which ignores inertia effects,…