Solenoids and plectonemes in stretched and twisted elastomeric filaments.
We study the behavior of a naturally straight highly extensible elastic filament subjected to large extensional and twisting strains. We find that two different phases can coexist for a range of parameter values: the plectoneme and the solenoid. A simple theory based on a neo-Hookean model for the material of the filament and accounting for the slender geometry suffices to explain these observations, and leads to a phase diagram that is consistent with observations. Extension and relaxation experiments on these phases show the presence of large hysteresis loops and sawtooth-like force-displacement curves which are different for the plectoneme and the solenoid.
Ghatak
A
A
Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, 02138 Massachusetts, USA. aghatak@iitk.ac.in
Mahadevan
L
L
D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D020724:Elastomers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D009038:Motion; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046938:Plectonema / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012408:Rubber / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D020724:Elastomers; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D046912:Multiprotein Complexes; D012408:Rubber