We report that liquids perform self-propelled motion when they are placed in contact with hot surfaces asymmetric (ratchetlike) topology. The pumping effect is observed the liquid Leidenfrost regime (the film-boiling regime), for many and over a wide temperature range. propose driven by viscous force exerted vapor flow between solid liquid.

The effective diffusion coefficient for the overdamped Brownian motion in a tilted periodic potential is calculated closed analytical form. Universality classes and scaling properties weak thermal noise are identified near threshold tilt where deterministic running solutions set in. In this regime may be greatly enhanced, as compared to free with, realistic experimental setup, an enhancement of up 14 orders magnitude.

Brownian heat engines use local temperature gradients in asymmetric potentials to move particles against an external force. The energy efficiency of such machines is generally limited by irreversible flow carried that make contact with different baths. Here we show that, using a suitably chosen filter, electrons can be transferred reversibly between reservoirs have temperatures and electrochemical potentials. We apply this result propose based on mesoscopic semiconductor ratchets, which...

Irreversible effects in thermoelectric materials limit their efficiency and economy for applications power generation refrigeration. While electron transport is unavoidably irreversible bulk materials, here we derive conditions under which reversible diffusive can be achieved nanostructured materials. We provide a fundamental thermodynamic explanation why the optimum density of states material delta function inhomogeneous doping segmentation improve figure merit.

Adiabatically rocked electron ratchets, defined by quantum confinement in semiconductor heterostructures, were experimentally studied a regime where tunneling contributed to the particle flow. The rocking-induced flow reverses direction as function of temperature. This result confirms recent prediction fundamentally different behavior classical versus ratchets. A wave-mechanical model reproduced temperature-induced current reversal and provides an intuitive explanation.

An exact analytical expression for the effective diffusion coefficient of an overdamped Brownian particle in a tilted periodic potential is derived arbitrary potentials and strengths thermal noise. Near critical tilt (threshold deterministic running solutions) scaling behavior weak noise revealed various universality classes are identified. In comparison with bare (potential-free) diffusion, critically may be, principle, arbitrarily enhanced. For realistic experimental setup, enhancement by...

Low-dimensional electronic systems in thermoelectrics have the potential to achieve high thermal-to-electric energy conversion efficiency. A key measure of performance is efficiency when device operated under maximum power conditions. Here we study at power, absence phonon-mediated heat flow, three low-dimensional, thermoelectric systems: a zero-dimensional quantum dot with Lorentzian transmission resonance finite width, one-dimensional (1D) ballistic conductor, and thermionic (TI) generator...

We show that coherent electron transport through zero-dimensional systems can be used to tailor the shape of system's transmission function. This quantum-engineering approach enhance performance quantum dots or molecules in thermal-to-electric power conversion. Specifically, we interference a two-level system substantially improve maximum thermoelectric and efficiency at by suppressing parasitic charge flow near Fermi energy reducing electronic heat conduction. discuss possible realizations...

Significance Electronic computers are extremely powerful at performing a high number of operations very speeds, sequentially. However, they struggle with combinatorial tasks that can be solved faster if many performed in parallel. Here, we present proof-of-concept parallel computer by solving the specific instance {2, 5, 9} classical nondeterministic-polynomial-time complete (“NP-complete”) problem, subset sum problem. The consists specifically designed, nanostructured network explored large...

Molecular junctions offer unique opportunities for controlling charge transport on the atomic scale and studying energy conversion. For example, quantum interference effects in molecular have been proposed as an avenue highly efficient thermoelectric power conversion at room temperature. Toward this goal, we investigated effect of properties junctions. Specifically, employed oligo(phenylene ethynylene) (OPE) derivatives with a para-connected central phenyl ring (para-OPE3) meta-connected...

Quantum dots are model systems for quantum thermoelectric behavior because of their ability to control and measure the effects electron-energy filtering confinement on properties. Interestingly, nonlinear properties such small can modify efficiency power conversion. Using embedded in semiconductor nanowires, we thermovoltage thermocurrent that strongly applied thermal bias. We show most observed be understood terms a renormalization quantum-dot energy levels as function bias provide...

We report the observation of a thermoelectric power factor in InAs nanowires that exceeds predicted by single-band bulk model up to an order magnitude at temperatures below about 20 K. attribute this enhancement effect not long-predicted 1D subband effects but quantum-dot-like states form electrostatically nonuniform as result interference between propagating and 0D resonances.

Abstract Inspired by biology, great progress has been made in creating artificial molecular motors. However, the dream of harnessing proteins – building blocks selected nature to design autonomous motors so far remained elusive. Here we report synthesis and characterization Lawnmower, an autonomous, protein-based motor comprised a spherical hub decorated with proteases. Its “burnt-bridge” motion is directed cleavage peptide lawn, promoting towards unvisited substrate. We find that Lawnmowers...

On-chip optical communication between individual nano optoelectronic components is important to reduce the footprint and improve energy efficiency of photonic neuromorphic solutions. Although nanoscale photon emitters receivers have been reported separately, them remains largely unexplored. We demonstrate direct on-chip directional broadcasting light InP nanowire photodiodes on silicon. The performance multiple wire-to-wire circuits mapped, demonstrating robust with up 5 bit resolution as...

The well-established symmetry relations for linear transport phenomena cannot, in general, be applied the nonlinear regime. Here we propose a set of with respect to bias voltage and magnetic field conductance two-terminal electric conductors. We experimentally confirm these using phase-coherent, semiconductor quantum dots.

The thermal conductivity of wurtzite and zinc blende indium arsenide nanowires was measured using a microfabricated device, with the crystal structure each sample controlled during growth determined by transmission electron microscopy. Nanowires both phases showed reduction factor 2 or more compared to values reported for bulk crystals within temperature range. Theoretical models were developed analyze measurement results determine effect phase on phonon transport. Branch-specific dispersion...

A flashing ratchet transports diffusive particles using a time-dependent, asymmetric potential. The particle speed is predicted to increase when feedback algorithm based on the position used. We have experimentally realized such an optical line trap, and observed that use of increases velocity by up order magnitude. compare two different algorithms for small numbers, find good agreement with simulations. also existing can be improved more tolerant delay times.

The design of bioinspired nanostructures and materials defined size shape is challenging as it pushes our understanding biomolecular assembly to its limits. In such endeavors, DNA the current building block choice because predictable programmable self-assembly. use peptide- protein-based systems, however, has potential advantages due their more-varied chemistries, structures functions, prospects for recombinant production through gene synthesis expression. Here, we present characterization...

Most progress on optical nanoparticle control has been in liquids, while air proven more challenging. By utilizing an chamber designed to have a minimum of turbulence and single laser beam with aberration, we trapped individual 200 80 nm gold nanoparticles quantified the corresponding trapping strengths. These results pave way for construction metallic nanostructures away from surfaces.

Particles in a ratchet, that is, potential without spatial inversion symmetry, can move one direction even the absence of macroscopic forces, provided there is source energy. In this paper, quantum based on an asymmetric (triangular) dot, investigated experimentally and theoretically. We find coherent electron transport through such device depends sign applied voltage. way net current be obtained when ac voltage zero average. Strikingly, amplitude at which dot ratchet rocked.

The ability to measure and understand heat flow in nanowire composites is crucial for applications ranging from high-speed electronics thermoelectrics. Here we demonstrate the measurement of thermal conductance consisting regular arrays InAs nanowires embedded PMMA using time-domain thermoreflectance (TDTR). On basis a proposed model composite, can, as consistency check, extract conductivity Λ find ΛNW = 5.3 ± 1.5 W m−1 K−1, good agreement with theory previous measurements individual nanowires.

We show that a quantum Szilard engine containing many bosons with attractive interactions enhances the conversion between information and work. Using an ab initio approach to full quantum-mechanical many-body problem, we find average work output increases significantly for larger number of bosons. The highest overshoot occurs at finite temperature, demonstrating how thermal effects conspire enhance predicted occur over broad range interaction strengths temperatures.