Abstract
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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G.A. Ozin, I. Manners, S. Fournier-Bidoz, A. Arsenault, Adv. Mater. 17, 3011 (2005).
N. Mano, A. Heller J. Am. Chem. Soc. 127, 11574 (2005).
S.T. Chang, V.N. Paunov, D.N. Petsev, O.D. Velev, Nat. Mater. 6, 235 (2007).
G.I. Taylor, Proc. R. Soc. London, Ser. A 209, 447 (1951).
S. Childress, Mechanics of Swimming and Flying (Cambridge University Press, New York, 1981).
E.M. Purcell, Am. J. Phys. 45, 3 (1977)
C.H. Wiggins, R.E. Goldstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 3879 (1998)
C.W. Wolgemuth, T.R. Powers, R.E. Goldstein, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1623 (2000)
R. Dreyfus, J. Bradry, M.L. Roper, M. Fermigier, H.A. Stone, J. Bibette, Nature (London) 437, 862 (2005)
A. Najafi, R. Golestanian, Phys. Rev. E 69, 062901 (2004)
J.E. Avron, O. Raz, New J. Phys. 9, 437 (2007).
H. Wada, R.R. Netz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 99, 108102 (2007).
Y.W. Kim, R.R. Netz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 158101 (2006).
B.A. Evans, A.R. Shields, R.L. Caroll, S. Washburn, M.R. Falvo, R. Superfine, Nano Lett. 7, 1428 (2007).
K.E. Machin, J. Exp. Biol. 35, 796 (1958).
E. Lauga, Phys. Rev. E 75, 041916 (2007).
M. Manghi, X. Schlagberger, R.R. Netz, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 068101 (2006).
B. Qian, T.R. Powers, K.S. Breuer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 078101 (2008).
N. Coq, O. du Roure, J. Marthelot, D. Bartolo, M. Fermigier, Phys. Fluids 20, 051703 (2008).
J. Wang, H. Huang, S.V. Kesapragada, D. Gall, Nano Lett. 5, 2505 (2005).
M.M.A.E. Claessens, M. Bathe, E. Frey, A.R. Bausch, Nat. Mater. 5, 748 (2006).
L. Limozin, E. Sackmann, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 168103 (2002).
R.E. Goldstein, T.R. Powers, C.H. Wiggins, Phys. Rev. Lett. 80, 5232 (1998).
A. Goriely, M. Tabor, Nonlin. Dynam. 21, 101 (2000).
B.H. Zimm, W.H. Stockmayer, J. Chem. Phys. 17, 1301 (1949).
A. Dobay, J. Dubochet, K. Millett, P.E. Sottas, A. Stasiak, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 100, 5611 (2003).
S. Panyukov, Y. Rabin, Phys. Rev. E 64, 011909 (2001)
G. Chirico, J. Langowski, Biopolymers 34, 415 (1994)
D.L. Ermak, J.A. McCammon, J. Chem. Phys. 69, 1352 (1978).
F.B. Fuller, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 3557 (1978).
K. Klenin, J. Langowski, Biopolymers 54, 307 (2000).
H. Wada, unpublished.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wada, H. A semiflexible polymer ring acting as a nano-propeller. Eur. Phys. J. E 28, 11–16 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10396-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2008-10396-1