Fluidic ratchet based on Marangoni-Bénard convection

A mean flow is observed experimentally in a layer of fluid undergoing Marangoni-Bénard convection over a heated substrate that presents a pattern of asymmetrical grooves. The direction of the mean flow is a function of the temperature difference across the layer and of the thickness of the layer; the direction can be controlled by changing these parameters. This system acts as a fluidic ratchet: the local structure of the thermally driven convection interacts with the asymmetry of the local topographical pattern and causes a net, global flow in the fluid. This fluidic ratchet may be useful in handling fluids on macroscopic and microscopic scales.