Effect of mechanical load on the shuttling operation of molecular muscles

Seungjun Lee, Wei Lu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

We use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of mechanical force on stimulus-induced deformation of rotaxane-based artificial molecular muscles. The study shows that a small external force slows down the shuttling motion and leads to longer actuation time for a muscle to reach its full extension. Further increase in the force can significantly reduce the traveling distance of the ring, leading to reduced strain output. A force larger than 28 pN can completely suppress the shuttling motion, suggesting a limit of force output of molecular muscles.

Original languageEnglish
Article number233114
JournalApplied Physics Letters
Volume94
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of mechanical load on the shuttling operation of molecular muscles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this