https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10396-1
Regular Article
A semiflexible polymer ring acting as a nano-propeller
Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, 606-8502, Kyoto, Japan
* e-mail: hwada@yukawa.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Received:
2
July
2008
Revised:
22
October
2008
Accepted:
17
November
2008
Published online:
13
January
2009
The dynamics of a rotating elastic nano-ring driven in a viscous fluid by an externally applied torque about a specific axis is studied using elasto-hydrodynamic simulations. We show that a helical deformation of the ring filament is excited, and that this leads to directed propulsion which is independent of the direction of rotation. It is found that the propulsive force and efficiency initially increase as the torque is increased, and then decrease discontinuously at a buckling transition at a critical torque. This unique propulsive behavior at the shape transition arises due to its specific geometry, i.e., circularity of an elastic filament. The implications of the behavior for artificial microscopic devices are discussed.
PACS: 47.63.mf Low-Reynolds-number motions – / 87.16.Ka Filaments, microtubules, their networks, and supramolecular assemblies – / 47.20.Ky Nonlinearity, bifurcation, and symmetry breaking –
© EDP Sciences, SIF, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2009