Noise is usually thougt of as the enemy of order rather as a constructive influence. For the phenomena of Stochastic Resonance and Brownian Motors (and/or molecular motors) random noise plays a beneficial role in enhancing detection and/or facilitating directed transmission of information in absence of biasing forces.

Here, I will focus on the possibility to rectify noise so that quantum and classical objects can be directed around on a priori designed routes in biological and physical systems.

In doing so, the energy from the haphazard motion of (quantum) Brownian particles is extracted to perform useful work against an external load. This very concept together with experimental realizations is discussed. Moreover, new applications that involve the electron transfer in molecular bridged metallic leads are presented.