R Dean Astumian
Shreya Ray 20091069 Prashant Beeraka 20091032
NO. Despite the anisotropy, without an energy supply, probabilities of moving in either direction are exactly EQUAL. (counterintuitive?) We need to couple diffusion to thermal gradient/gravity/electrostatic or any other force field in order to extract work.
Coupling short-range non-equilibrium fluctuations in an anisotropic medium with diffusive Brownian motion can bias the direction of motion. In fact, the thermal noise provides part of the energy required to for transport across energy barrier! So, small voltages are required; can be used continuously. Fluctuation-driven transport requires: Thermal Noise to cause Brownian motion Anisotropy arising from the structure of the medium Energy supplied either by external variation of constraints or by a chemical reaction far from equilibrium (the fluctuation)
Square wave modulation of sawtooth potential Overall, favours motion in the direction of sharper edge of sawtooth because of appearance of traps in the other direction. Mean velocity increases with the push given by the square wave, but this shouldnt be so large as to mask the effects of sawtooth. Mean velocity increases when this process is assisted by thermal noise upto an optimum T, beyond which again noise becomes unwanted. (too shallow wells)
Chemical Modulation
Our particle catalyses hydrolysis of SH Local conc. Of S and H vary with position because of dipole array, hence a sawtooth potential Away from eqm transition probability is same in all directions Near eqm we have trabsitions from charged to uncharged form and vice-versa Charged state is affected by dipole, neutral state is not: an on-off switch Mean velocity increases away from eqm, as delG produces the sawtooth. Larger barriers, however, disfavour the process.