6533b834fe1ef96bd129cdc2

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Converting external potential fluctuations into nonzero time-average electric currents using a single nanopore

Mubarak AliVicente GomezSalvador MafeSaima NasirPatricio RamirezWolfgang EnsingerJavier Cervera

subject

PhysicsPhysics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)CellsRectificationNanotechnologyConical surfaceElectrolyteNanoporeTransductionMembraneNanofluidic diodeRectificationChemical physicsIon channelsFISICA APLICADAIonic conductivityElectric currentScaling

description

The possibility of taking advantage of a fluctuating environment for energy and information transduction is a significant challenge in biological and artificial nanostructures. We demonstrate here directional electrical transduction from fluctuating external signals using a single nanopore of conical shape immersed in an ionic aqueous solution. To this end, we characterize experimentally the average output currents obtained by the electrical rectification of zero time-average input potentials. The transformation of external potential fluctuations into nonzero time-average responses using a single nanopore in liquid state is of fundamental significance for biology and nanophysics. This energy and information conversion constitutes also a significant step towards macroscopic scaling using multipore membranes. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.

10.13039/501100003359https://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4909532