title: Dynamical mechanism for the conversion of energy at a molecular scale.
abstract: We propose a dynamical mechanism of a molecular machine for energy conversion, by considering a simple model describing the dynamics of two components, the head and the chain. After injection of energy to the head region, the energy is stored at one part for some time, and is used step by step, allowing the head to move directionally along the chain, irrespective of the direction of the input, under a fluctuating environment. Our system can adjust the timing with which the head crosses the energy barrier by taking advantage of internal dynamics and the flexibility of components. Some suggestions are given for molecular machines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematical Sciences, Ibaraki University, Mito, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaneko
mesh_terms: D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D004735:Energy Transfer; D006358:Hot Temperature; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors