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Related Concept Videos

Actin Polymerization01:42

Actin Polymerization

Actin polymerization occurs through the head-to-tail association of binding sites on monomeric actin or G-actin to form filamentous or F-actin. The polymerization can be divided into three phases ̶  nucleation, elongation, and steady-state phase.
The nucleation phase involves forming a stable nucleus consisting of three actin monomers to form a new actin filament. Actin-binding proteins such as formins and Arp2/3 complex help filament growth post-nucleation. The Formins form straight actin...
Polymers02:34

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The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview01:20

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

The polymerization process that involves carbanion as an intermediate is called anionic polymerization. It is also a type of addition or chain-growth polymerization. Anionic polymerization gets initiated by a strong nucleophile such as an organolithium or a Grignard reagent. The most commonly used initiator for anionic polymerization is butyl lithium. Monomers involved in anionic polymerization must possess a vinyl group bonded to one or two electron-withdrawing groups. For instance,...
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility01:13

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Actin is a family of globular proteins that are highly abundant in eukaryotic cells. It makes up approximately 1-5% of total cell protein concentration. Actin monomers polymerize to form a complex network of polarized filaments, the actin cytoskeleton, that plays a crucial role in many cellular processes, including cell motility, division, endocytosis, and metastasis of cancer cells.
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.

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Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators
14:42

Fabrication of Carbon-Based Ionic Electromechanically Active Soft Actuators

Published on: April 25, 2020

Active polymer gel actuators.

Shingo Maeda1, Yusuke Hara1, Ryo Yoshida2

  • 1Department of Applied Physics, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-8555, Japan.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|February 18, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel synthetic polymer gel that exhibits autonomous, worm-like walking motion. This biomimetic actuator generates movement by dissipating chemical energy, mimicking living organisms without external stimuli.

Keywords:
oscillating reactionpolymer actuatorpolymer gel

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Biomimetics

Background:

  • Stimuli-responsive polymers and gels are used as biomimetic actuators and artificial muscles.
  • Electroactive polymers are promising but require external electrical field manipulation for motion.
  • Living organisms exhibit autonomous motion without external driving stimuli.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel biomimetic gel actuator capable of spontaneous autonomous motion.
  • To demonstrate a synthetic gel that mimics the self-beating motion of living muscles.
  • To achieve worm-like locomotion without external stimuli manipulation.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a novel synthetic polymer gel.
  • Utilizing a self-oscillating chemical reaction for energy dissipation.
  • Observing and analyzing the spontaneous locomotion of the gel actuator.

Main Results:

  • The synthetic gel actuator demonstrated spontaneous, worm-like walking motion.
  • The motion was autonomous, requiring no switching of external stimuli.
  • The self-oscillating motion was driven by the dissipation of chemical energy.

Conclusions:

  • A novel synthetic polymer gel actuator capable of autonomous locomotion has been created.
  • This biomimetic gel mimics living organisms by generating motion from internal chemical energy.
  • The developed gel represents a significant advancement in artificial muscles and actuators.