Artificial Brownian motors: Controlling transport on the nanoscale
National University of Singapore · University of Augsburg · +1 more institution
Abstract
In systems possessing spatial or dynamical symmetry breaking, Brownian motion combined with unbiased external input signals, deterministic and random alike, can assist directed motion of particles at submicron scales. In such cases, one speaks of ``Brownian motors.'' In this review the constructive role of Brownian motion is exemplified for various physical and technological setups, which are inspired by the cellular molecular machinery: the working principles and characteristics of stylized devices are discussed to show how fluctuations, either thermal or extrinsic, can be used to control diffusive particle transport. Recent experimental demonstrations of this concept are surveyed with particular attention to…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 98.52
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 438
Authors
2Topics & keywords
- Brownian motor
- Brownian motion
- Physics
- Molecular motor
- Noise (video)
- Ratchet
- Thermal fluctuations
- Degrees of freedom (physics and chemistry)