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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Combining geometrical and dynamical disorder to enhance transport
Hernan L Martinez1, Juan M R Parrondo
1Department of Chemistry, California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, California 90747, USA. leoh@cali.csudh.edu
Abstract:
We look for the optimal way to distribute rectifiers in order to maximize their effect on the transport properties of Brownian particles. These rectifiers are introduced in the form of flashing asymmetric potentials distributed on a one dimensional lattice. We study the effects that different distributions of these rectifiers have on the generated current and on the energy cost of transport. Based on both analytical and numerical results, we observe an unexpected increase in the efficiency of the rectifiers and the magnitude of the current for the case in which geometrical and dynamical disorder are combined. We show that this effect is a direct consequence of the "hitchhiker" or "waiting time" paradox.
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