Abstract
The dynamics of a rotating elastic filament is investigated using Stokesian simulations. The filament, straight and tilted with respect to its rotation axis for small driving torques, undergoes at a critical torque a strongly discontinuous shape bifurcation to a helical state. It induces a substantial forward propulsion whatever the sense of rotation: a nanomechanical force-rectification device is established.
- Received 7 January 2005
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.068101
©2006 American Physical Society