Active elastic dimers: Self-propulsion and current reversal on a featureless track

Kumar, Vijay K and Ramaswamy, Sriram and Rao, Madan (2008) Active elastic dimers: Self-propulsion and current reversal on a featureless track. In: Physical Review E, 77 . 020102:1-4.

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Abstract

We present a Brownian inchworm model of a self-propelled elastic dimer in the absence of an external potential. Nonequilibrium noise together with a stretch-dependent damping form the propulsion mechanism. Our model connects three key nonequilibrium features—position-velocity correlations, a nonzero mean internal force, and a drift velocity. Our analytical results, including striking current reversals, compare very well with numerical simulations. The model unifies the propulsion mechanisms of DNA helicases, polar rods on a vibrated surface, crawling keratocytes and Myosin VI. We suggest experimental realizations and tests of the model.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Physical Review E
Publisher:	American Physical Society
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to American Physical Society.
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	02 Apr 2008
Last Modified:	19 Sep 2010 04:44
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/13624

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