Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 26, 2026

An Innovative Running Wheel-based Mechanism for Improved Rat Training Performance
Published on: September 19, 2016
Flashing ratchet model with high efficiency
Yu A Makhnovskii1, V M Rozenbaum, D-Y Yang
1Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences, Academia Sinica, P.O. Box 23-166, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Abstract:
As a simple model of the Brownian motor, we consider hopping motion of a particle in a periodic asymmetric double-well potential which randomly switches between two states. The potential profiles of the states are identical but shifted by half a period. The current and the efficiency are explicitly calculated as functions of the parameters of the model, including also a load force. Such a flashing ratchet is shown to be particularly efficient, with the efficiency tending to unity when the highest peak of the potential is high enough to suppress the backward motion.
Related Concept Videos
Applications of RC Circuits
First-Order Circuits
One common example of a first-order circuit is the RC (resistor-capacitor) circuit. These circuits are used in relaxation oscillators such as neon lamp oscillator circuits. When voltage is...
RC Circuits: Charging A Capacitor
When the switch is moved to connect the battery, the circuit reduces to a simple...
Transformers with Off-Nominal Turns Ratios
Electric Generator: Alternator
The magnetic flux passing through the coil varies sinusoidally as the loop rotates inside the magnetic field. This...
Wind Turbine Machine Models
Induction machines interact through the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator and the rotor. The key parameter is slip, which is the difference between synchronous speed and rotor speed relative to synchronous speed. Slip is...
