Active–passive mixtures with bulk loading: a minimal active engine in one dimension

Abstract

Abstract We study a one-dimensional mixture of active (run-and-tumble) particles and passive (Brownian) particles, with single-file constraint, in a sawtooth potential. The active particles experience a ratchet effect and this generates a current, which can push passive particles against an applied load. The resulting system operates as an active engine. Using numerical simulations, we analyse the efficiency of this engine and we discuss how it can be optimised. Efficient operation occurs when the active particles self-organise into teams, which can push the passive ones against large loads by leveraging collective behaviour. We discuss how the particle arrangement, conserved under the single-file constraint, affects the engine efficiency. We also show that relaxing this constraint still allows the engine to operate effectively.