Pressure-sensitive ion conduction in a conical channel: Optimal pressure and geometry

Using both analytic and numerical analyses of the Poisson-Nernst-Planck equations we theoretically investigate electric conductivity a conical channel, which in accordance with recent experiments exhibits strong non-linear pressure dependence. This mechanosensitive diodic behavior stems from pressure-sensitive build-up or depletion salt pore. From our results find that optimal geometry for this strongly depends on flow rate, ideal ratio tip-to-base-radii being equal to 0.22 at zero flow. With increased becomes smaller simultaneously performance weaker. Consequently an diode is obtained zero-flow, realized by applying drop proportional applied potential inverse square tip radius thereby countering electro-osmotic When deviates falls sharply, explaining dramatic mechanosensitivity observed experiments.