Entropy production and rectification efficiency in colloids transport along a pulsating channel

TL;DR

This paper investigates how particles move in pulsating channels, focusing on entropy production and rectification efficiency, revealing how entropic and energetic effects influence transport and can be optimized for microfluidic and biological applications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of rectification scenarios considering entropic and energetic effects, highlighting the role of entropy production in particle transport in pulsating channels.

Findings

Rectification depends on force, frequency, and diffusion coefficient.

Entropic effects dominate at low applied forces, enhancing rectification.

Entropy production varies with force reversal, affecting transport efficiency.

Abstract

We study the current rectification of particles moving in a pulsating channel under the in uence of an applied force. We have shown the existence of diferent rectification scenarios in which entropic and energetic effects compete. The effect can be quantified by means of a rectification coefficient that is analyzed in terms of the force, the frequency and the diffusion coefficient. The energetic cost of the motion of the particles expressed in terms of the entropy production depends on the importance of the entropic contribution to the total force. Rectification is more important at low values of the applied force when entropic effects become dominant. In this regime, the entropy production is not invariant under reversal of the applied force. The phenomenon observed could be used to optimize transport in microfluidic devices or in biological channels.