Nano-Ratchet sets free electrical power even without intentional excitation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a nano-ratchet effect that rectifies environmental electrical noise into usable energy without external excitation, enabled by magnetic field-induced asymmetry in nanochannels.

Contribution

It introduces and experimentally verifies a nano-ratchet mechanism based on equilibrium transmission asymmetry, enabling energy harvesting from ambient electrical fluctuations.

Findings

Achieved energy generation from environmental electrical noise.

Demonstrated rectification effect linked to magnetic field-induced asymmetry.

Showed efficiency of nano-ratchet in converting noise to usable power.

Abstract

In theory ratchets enable energy harvesting by rectifying electrical fluctuations in conductors and semiconductors. Certain rectification effects in nanostructures have been demonstrated earlier. But these were not found to be usable for energy harvesting, as they were not accomplished by asymmetric transmission probabilities in the nanochannels, but rather by other secondary effects. We propose and experimentally prove a nano-ratchet effect directly linked to an asymmetry in the equilibrium transmission probability, which becomes possible when a magnetic field is present. Remarkably, the current/voltage do not disappear even without any intentional external excitation. The rectification is manifested to be highly efficient to the extent that generation of energy out of environmental electrical noises is achieved.