Brownian Ratchets as Non-Traditional Energy Harvesters

We seek to harness non-traditional forms of energy such as vibrations and blackbody radiation via Brownian ratchets. We have simulated particle diffusion in a thermal bath subject to an asymmetric (ratchet) potential. The potential has been studied using both white and colored noise to incur net directed transport. We find a minimum temperature for the thermal bath to obtain a maximum transport velocity dependent on the level of asymmetry and the diffusion constant. We also find that the transport velocity was equivalent regardless if the particle traveled in the direction of or against the bias.