Room temperature flashing Ratcheting in nano-channels

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.