Modeling work-speed-accuracy trade-offs in a stochastic rotary machine

Molecular machines are stochastic systems that catalyze the energetic processes keeping living cells alive and structured. Inspired by the examples of F1-ATP synthase and the bacterial flagellum, we present a minimal model of an externally driven stochastic rotary machine. We explore the trade-offs of work, driving speed, and driving accuracy when changing driving strength, speed, and the underlying system dynamics. We find an upper bound on accuracy and work for a particular speed. Our results favor slow driving when tasked with minimizing the work-accuracy ratio and maximizing the rate of successful cycles. Finally, in the parameter regime mapping to the dynamics of F1-ATP synthase, we find a significant decay of driving accuracy at physiological rotation rates, raising questions about how ATP synthase achieves reasonable or even remarkable efficiency in vivo.

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