Affine-nonaffine transition in networks of nematically ordered semiflexible polymers

Andrew R. Missel, Mo Bai, William S. Klug, and Alex J. Levine
Phys. Rev. E 82, 041907 – Published 8 October 2010

Abstract

We study the mechanics of nematically ordered semiflexible networks showing that they, like isotropic networks, undergo an affine to nonaffine crossover controlled by the ratio of the filament length to the nonaffinity length. Deep in the nonaffine regime, however, these anisotropic networks exhibit a much more complex mechanical response characterized by a vanishing linear-response regime for highly ordered networks and a dependence of the shear modulus on shear direction at both small (linear) and finite (nonlinear) strains that is different from the affine prediction of orthotropic continuum linear elasticity. We show that these features can be understood in terms of a generalized floppy modes analysis of the nonaffine mechanics and a type of cooperative Euler buckling.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 22 February 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.82.041907

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Andrew R. Missel1,*, Mo Bai2, William S. Klug2,3, and Alex J. Levine1,3

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
  • 2Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
  • 3California Nanosystems Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

  • *missel@ucla.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 82, Iss. 4 — October 2010

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×