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research article
Twist and Stretch of Helices Explained via the Kirchhoff-Love Rod Model of Elastic Filaments
In various single-molecule experiments, a chiral polymer, such as DNA, is simultaneously pulled and twisted. We address an elementary but fundamental question raised by various authors: does the molecule overwind or unwind under tension? We show that within the context of the classic Kirchhoff-Love rod model of elastic filaments, both behaviors are possible, depending on the precise constitutive relations of the polymer. More generally, our analysis provides an effective linear response theory for helical structures that relates axial force and axial torque to axial translation and rotation.
Type
research article
Web of Science ID
WOS:000324232600032
Authors
Publication date
2013
Publisher
Published in
Volume
111
Issue
10
Article Number
108103
Peer reviewed
REVIEWED
EPFL units
Available on Infoscience
November 4, 2013
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