Directed transport in a ratchet with internal and chemical freedoms

TL;DR

This paper introduces a ratchet model with internal and chemical freedoms, demonstrating how internal modes can enhance directed transport efficiency by buffering energy input and output.

Contribution

It presents a novel ratchet model incorporating autonomous chemical and internal freedoms, highlighting their roles in energy buffering and transport efficiency.

Findings

Internal freedom buffers energy, aiding in efficient current generation.

Autonomous chemical input replaces external driving in the model.

Numerical simulations reveal parameter-dependent transport behavior.

Abstract

We consider mechanisms of directed transport in a ratchet model comprising, besides the external freedom where transport occurs, a chemical freedom that replaces the familiar external driving by an autonomous dynamics providing energy input, and an internal freedom representing a functional mode of a motor molecule. The dependence of the current on various parameters is studied in numerical simulations of our model. In particular, we point out the role of the internal freedom as a buffer between energy input and output of mechanical work that allows a temporary storage of injected energy and can contribute to the efficiency of current generation.