title: Biomimetic study of rolling transport through smooth muscle contraction.
abstract: Inspired by the rolling behavior of oosperm through smooth muscle contraction of fallopian tube, a simple biomimetic experiment is devised in order to disclose the possibly mechanical transport mechanism. An interesting experimental observation demonstrates that an elastic strain gradient can be utilized to transport a soft latex bubble on a stretchable substrate by rolling. A corresponding theoretical model is established, in which an elastically three-dimensional bubble contacts adhesively on an elastic substrate subject to strain gradient. The initiation and steady-state energy release rates for such a rolling motion are achieved and analyzed. The influencing factors of rolling are found. The finding may have general implications on designing active transport systems with strain gradient.
authors.affiliation: LNM, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: LNM, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China. Electronic address: chenshaohua72@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Shaohua
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Electronic address: huajian_gao@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Huajian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D032701:Biomimetics / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Biomimetic experiment; Energy release rates; Rolling adhesive contact; Rolling transport; Strain gradient