Spotlights

Surface-energy ratchet mechanism
The proposed ratchet mechanism utilizes the asymmetry in surface wettability between the smooth and rough faces of the teeth of a geometrically symmetric gear to achieve ratcheting motion. .

Researchers, including Miku Hatatani, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, have developed a novel ratchet mechanism that utilizes asymmetry in surface wettability and resembles the biological Brownian ratchets

Conventional ratchet mechanisms involve a geometrically asymmetric gear for realizing the ratcheting mechanism. In a new study, researchers have now developed a novel ratcheting mechanism based on the asymmetry of surface wettability and it uses a geometrically symmetric gear. This innovative mechanism resembles the Brownian ratchets, which have been proposed for understanding the motion of molecular motors in biological systems and can pave the way for novel energy-harvesting technologies.

Reference
Hatatani, M., Yamamoto, D. & Shioi, A. Surface-energy ratchet motor with geometrical symmetry driven by biased random walk. Sci Rep 14, 16619 (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-67383-1

For more details, please see the website of Organization for Research Initiatives and Development, Doshisha University.
https://research.doshisha.ac.jp/news/news-detail-58/


This achievement has also been featured in the “EurekAlert!.”
NEWS RELEASE 20-AUG-2024, Novel Ratchet with Geometrically Symmetric Gear Driven by Asymmetric Surface Wettability

Image Credit: Miku Hatatani from Doshisha University
License type: Original content
Usage restrictions: Cannot be reused without permission