Directed transport of a deformable particle in confined periodic structures

Abstract Directed transport of a deformable particle is numerically investigated in two-dimensional periodic channel. Unlike the rigid particle, can pass through channel bottleneck that significantly smaller than size. The characteristics greatly affect directed particle. (i) For case active self-propelled velocity break thermodynamics equilibrium and induce transport. average peak (or valley) function size for large small) self-propulsion speed. Particle softening (large shape parameter) facilitates rectification small while it blocks (ii) passive oscillation also thermodynamical equilibrium. There exists an optimal oscillating frequency at which takes its maximal value. low frequency, amplitude, high increases monotonically with amplitude. Our results may contribute to understanding behaviors soft, matter confined structures.