Directed motion and useful work from an isotropic nonequilibrium distribution.
We demonstrate that a gas of classical particles trapped in an external asymmetric potential undergoes a quasiperiodic motion, if the temperature of its initial velocity distribution TNE differs from the equilibrium temperature Teq. The magnitude of the effect is determined by the value of TNE-Teq, and the direction of the motion is determined by the sign of this expression. The "loading" and "unloading" of the gas particles change directions of their motion, thereby creating a possibility of shuttle-like motion. The system works as a Carnot engine where the heat flow between kinetic and potential parts of the nonequilibrium distribution produces the useful work.
Gelin
M F
MF
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA.
Kosov
D S
DS