Room temperature flashing Ratcheting in nano-channels

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that surface-induced ratcheting transport of particles in nano-channels is feasible at room temperature, with significant velocities for particles around 10 nm in size, suggesting potential applications in filtration and biological systems.

Contribution

It shows for the first time that room temperature conditions enable effective ratcheting of nano-sized particles in nano-channels with realistic surface undulations.

Findings

Achievable ratcheting of 10 nm particles in 100 nm wide channels.

Ratcheting velocities of a few hundred nanometers per second.

Fluid viscosity comparable to water at room temperature.

Abstract

We consider the surface-induced ratcheting transport of particles in nano-channels, particularly at room temperature. We show that at room temperature it is possible to achieve ratcheting of about 10 nm size particles in a nano-channel of about 100 nm width. The typical ratcheting velocity in such a case could be of the order of a few hundred nano-meter when the surface undulations are of a wavelength of a few hundred nano-meter and of the amplitude of a few tens of nano-meter. At room temperature, the viscosity of the fluid enabling such transport in the nano-channels comes out to be that of water. We show here a considerably large effect under realistic conditions which could be used for application in efficient filtration of particles and probably are in use in biological systems which typically work at room temperature.