h i g h l i g h t s • Collective dynamics of coupled Brownian motors is investigated. • The velocity of Brownian motor varies with the frequency of the driving force. • Collective effect and ratchet behavior coexist in coupled Brownian motors. • Collective effect can generate directed transport in the symmetric system. • Control of collective transport is possible by changing the external parameters. a b s t r a c t The transport properties of coupled Brownian particles in a two-dimensional

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... ing ratchet are investigated via Langevin simulation. The results show that the average centerof-mass velocity is multi-peaks function of the frequency of the driving force. Furthermore, in the 2D coupled Brownian motor system there are the collective effect and ratchet behavior, which can switch depending on the frequency of driving force. It turns out that the cooperative effect between the interaction of coupled particles and external rocking driving force facilitates collective directional motion and energy conversion.