Asymmetric step-like characteristics in a tilted rocking ratchet potential

The overdamped Langevin dynamics has been employed to study the directional transport of particles driven in a tilted rocking ratchet potential. The system subjected to a constant direct force undergoes an asymmetrical dynamic transition from a static state to a sliding state at two different critical forces that are consistent with the predicted values. When an additional alternating force is applied to the system, the time-averaged velocity shows several steps of equal height as the direct force increases. These steps are similar to the Shapiro steps in an rf-driven Josephson junction, and appear whenever the system's natural frequency given by the direct force matches an integer multiple of the applied frequency. When the alternating force exceeds a certain critical value which can be also estimated for a slow rocking, a directional motion known as the rectification effect occurs even at zero direct force.     

A simplified tether model for molecular motor transporting cargo

Molecular motors are proteins or protein complexes which function as transporting engines in biological cells. This paper models the tether between motor and its cargo as a symmetric linear potential. Different from Elston and Peskin's work for which performance of the system was discussed only in some limiting cases, this study produces analytic solutions of the problem for general cases by simplifying the transport system into two physical states, which makes it possible to discuss the dynamics of the motor--cargo system in detail. It turns out that the tether strength between motor and cargo should be greater than a threshold or the motor will fail to transport the cargo, which was not discussed by former researchers yet. Value of the threshold depends on the diffusion coefficients of cargo and motor and also on the strength of the Brownian ratchets dragging the system. The threshold approaches a finite constant when the strength of the ratchet tends to infinity.     

基于连续时间无规行走模型研究反常扩散

基于连续时间无规行走(CTRW)理论,数值研究了布朗粒子的欠扩散、正常扩散和超扩散三种扩散行为.解决了CTRW模型的跳跃步长和等待时间分布函数的可实现化问题,对Metropolis抽样方法进行了改进以适用于周期势.探讨了布朗马达依靠闪烁棘轮和摇摆棘轮整流反常扩散所获得的定向速度,结果显示,闪烁布朗马达定向流极大值出现在超扩散条件下;摇摆布朗马达定向流最大值出现在弹道扩散条件下. 关键词： 无规行走 反常扩散 Metropolis抽样 棘轮势     

Chaotic Ratchet Effect for Bose-Einstein Condensed Atoms in 1D Optical Lattices

The chaotic ratchet effect for Bos-Einstein condensed atoms in an optical lattice is investigated. By using the direct perturbation method we obtain the chaotic solution of the condensed system. Theoretical analysis reveals that the transport of the condensed atoms in the ratchet potential is a chaotic one, and corresponding numerical results agree well with the theoretical results.     

Continuous organelle separation in an insulator-based dielectrophoretic device

Heterogeneity in organelle size has been associated with devastating human maladies such as neurodegenerative diseases or cancer. Therefore, assessing the size-based subpopulation of organelles is imperative to understand the biomolecular foundations of these diseases. Here, we demonstrated a ratchet migration mechanism using insulator-based dielectrophoresis in conjunction with a continuous flow component that allows the size-based separation of submicrometer particles. The ratchet mechanism was realized in a microfluidic device exhibiting an array of insulating posts, tailoring electrokinetic and dielectrophoretic transport. A numerical model was developed to elucidate the particle migration and the size-based separation in various conditions. Experimentally, the size-based separation of a mixture of polystyrene beads (0.28 and 0.87 $\mu$m) was accomplished demonstrating good agreement with the numerical model. Furthermore, the size-based separation of mitochondria was investigated using a mitochondria mixture isolated from HepG2 cells and HepG2 cells carrying the gene Mfn-1 knocked out, indicating distinct size-related migration behavior. With the presented continuous flow separation device, larger amounts of fractionated organelles can be collected in the future allowing access to the biomolecular signature of mitochondria subpopulations differing in size.     

Classification and evaluation of microfluidic devices for continuous suspension fractionation

Membrane processes are well-known for separating and fractionating suspensions in many industries, but suffer from particle accumulation on the membrane surface. Currently, there are new developments using microfluidic devices for cell/DNA sorting and fractionation. We anticipate these devices are also applicable to fractionation of polydisperse and concentrated suspensions (e.g. foods), and may potentially have fewer problems with particle accumulation compared to membranes. This review article presents an overview of relevant microfluidic devices. We focus on their performance with respect to concentrated suspensions, as one finds in food industry. We give quantitative estimates on their yield, selectivity, and the potential for large-scale application. From this evaluation follows that deterministic ratchets seem most promising.     

Two-dimensional model of elastically coupled molecular motors

A flashing ratchet model of a two-headed molecular motor in a two-dimensional potential is proposed to simulate the hand-over-hand motion of kinesins. Extensive Langevin simulations of the model are performed. We discuss the dependences of motion and efficiency on the model parameters, including the external force and the temperature. A good qualitative agreement with the expected behavior is observed.     

内部棘轮

建立了一个内部棘轮模型,即将一个自由系统耦合到一个具有非对称周期结构的亚系统上,而后者处于一个热浴环境之中.计算了一个周期信号以两种方式驱动粒子的平均速度,并与相同参数下外部棘轮的结果进行了比较.结果表明,内部棘轮中的粒子定向流的极大值大于外部棘轮的;在相同温度下,内部棘轮中粒子更容易产生定向运动.     

Feedback control of two-headed Brownian motors in flashing ratchet potential

We presented a detailed investigation on the movement of two-headed Brownian motors in an asymmetric potential under a feedback control.By numerical simulations the direct current is obtained.The current is periodic in the initial length of spring.There is an optimal value of the spring constant.And the dependence of the current on the opposing force is reversed.Then we found that when the change of the temperature and the opposing force have optimal values,the Brownian motors can also obtain the optimal efficiency.     

分子马达动力学

分子马达是一类将化学能转化为机械能的微小机器. 对二维模型的研究表明, 非保守力在体系与外界能量交换中发挥重要作用. 四态模型较好地反映了马达力学化学过程的各个状态及相应的构象变化. Motor protein is a kind of small machines that convert chemical energy to mechanical works. It is revealed from the study of the two dimensional model that the non conservative impulsive force plays a significant role in the exchanging process of energy. A four state model characterizing the coupling of mechanical and chemical processes of molecular motor is also discussed.