Proposal of a realistic stochastic rotor engine based on electron shuttling

Abstract

We propose and analyse an autonomous engine, which combines ideas from electronic transport and self-oscillating heat engines. It is based on the electron-shuttling mechanism in conjunction with a rotational degree of freedom. We focus in particular on the isothermal regime, where chemical work is converted into mechanical work or vice versa, and we especially pay attention to use parameters estimated from experimental data of available single components. Our analysis shows that for these parameters the engine already works remarkably stable, albeit with moderate efficiency. Moreover, it has the advantage that it can be up-scaled to increase power and reduce fluctuations further.