Using molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate pumping of water through a carbon nanotube by applying the combination of a rotating electric field and a rotating magnetic field. The driving force is a Lorentz force generated from the motion of charges in the magnetic field, and the motion is caused by the rotation of the electric field. We find that there exits a linear relationship between the average pumping velocity v and magnetic field strength B, which can be used to control the flux of the continuous unidirectional water flow. This approach is expected to be used in liquid circulation without a pressure gradient. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4824441]

The article was published as:
Li XP,Kong GP,Zhang X,He GW. Pumping of water through carbon nanotubes by rotating electric field and rotating magnetic field. APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS, 2013, 103(14):143117-1~143117-4, doi: 10.1063/1.4824441