A terahertz-driven controllable water nanopump

Manipulating water flow in nanochannels is crucial for advancing nanotechnology and nanofluidic. Using molecular dynamics simulation, we demonstrate that both the direction and rate of flow in a uniform nanochannel can be precisely tuned by varying the incident direction, field intensity, and irradiation range of a specific-frequency biased terahertz pulse stimulation, without requiring any external pressure gradients. The resonant coupling between the irradiated water molecules and terahertz pulses is revealed to create pressure gradients that determine the direction of water flow and control the flow rate. This effect is attributed to the asymmetric absorption of terahertz radiation by water molecules within the nanochannel, which generates a controllable energy flow. These insights provide a glorious inspiration for designing advanced nanofluidic devices that require facile and stable energy flow control, avoiding physical intrusion.