Active Topological Glass Confined within a Spherical Cavity
Iurii Chubak1,2, Stanard Mebwe Pachong3, Kurt Kremer3
1Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.
Macromolecules
|February 14, 2022
Summary
We discovered a new "tank-treading" motion in active topological glass rings confined spherically. This dynamic mode influences phase separation and arrested states, with potential links to cellular chromosome behavior.
Area of Science:
- Soft Matter Physics
- Polymer Physics
- Biophysics
Background:
- Active topological glass describes complex polymer systems with internal activity.
- Spherical confinement is crucial for understanding confined polymer dynamics and phase behavior.
- Previous simulations were limited by chain length, hindering the study of critical exponents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate active topological glass under spherical confinement.
- To determine critical exponents of arrested conformations.
- To identify and characterize novel dynamic modes in these systems.
Main Methods:
- Simulations of active topological glass under spherical confinement.
- Analysis of chain lengths and conformational properties.
- Identification of dynamic modes and phase separation phenomena.
Main Results:
- Exceeded previous simulation chain lengths, enabling critical exponent determination.
- Discovered a novel "tank-treading" dynamic mode of active segments.
- Observed enhanced active-passive phase separation under suppressed relaxation.
- Identified coherent stochastic rotations in the arrested state.
Conclusions:
- The "tank-treading" mode plays a significant role in active-passive phase separation.
- Spherical confinement influences arrested states and dynamics.
- The findings may offer insights into the behavior of chromosomes within cell nuclei.
