title: Optimization of isopolar microtubule arrays.
abstract: Isopolar arrays of aligned cytoskeletal filaments are components in a number of designs of hybrid nanodevices incorporating biomolecular motors. For example, a combination of filament arrays and motor arrays can form an actuator or a molecular engine resembling an artificial muscle. Here, isopolar arrays of microtubules are fabricated by flow alignment, and their quality is characterized by their degree of alignment. We find, in agreement with our analytical models, that the degree of alignment is ultimately limited by thermal forces, while the kinetics of the alignment process are influenced by the flow strength, the microtubule stiffness, the gliding velocity, and the tip length. Strong flows remove microtubules from the surface and reduce the filament density, suggesting that there is an optimal flow strength for the fabrication of ordered arrays.
authors: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027, United States.
authors: Rodney R
authors: RR
authors: Agayan
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Tucker
authors: Takahiro
authors: T
authors: Nitta
authors: Felix
authors: F
authors: Ruhnow
authors: Wilhelm J
authors: WJ
authors: Walter
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Diez
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Hess
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D007700:Kinetics; D008870:Microtubules