2007/12/03 by Bian Qian, Thomas Powers, Thomas R. Powers +2 · 62 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Materials and Mechanics #Classical mechanics #Constant (computer programming) #Deformation (meteorology) #Geometry #Mechanics #Micro and Nano Robotics #Modular Robots and Swarm Intelligence #Physics #Rotation (mathematics) #Rotational speed #Thermodynamics #Torque #Viscous liquid #cond-mat.soft
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.100.078101
published in Physical Review Letters 100(7), 078101 (American Physical Society) · 4 pages, 5 figures
arxiv created 2007/12/03 · openalex publication_date 2008/02/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
The deformation of an elastic rod rotating in a viscous fluid is considered, with applications related to flagellar motility. The rod is tilted relative to the rotation axis, and experiments and theory are used to study the shape transition when driven either at constant torque or at constant speed. At low applied torque, the rod bends gently and generates small propulsive force. At a critical torque, the rotation speed increases abruptly, and the rod forms a helical shape with increased propulsive force. We find good agreement between theory and experiment. A simple physical model is presented to capture and explain the essential behavior.