Packing of elastic wires in spherical cavities

TL;DR

This study explores how elastic wires pack into spherical cavities, revealing that packing density and structure depend on torsion levels, with implications for understanding DNA packing in viruses.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the morphologies and maximum packing densities of elastic wires in spherical cavities through combined simulations and experiments, highlighting the role of torsion.

Findings

High packing densities occur at low torsion in large systems.

High torsion packings are denser in small systems.

Comparison with DNA packing models offers biological relevance.

Abstract

We investigate the morphologies and maximum packing density of thin wires packed into spherical cavities. Using simulations and experiments, we find that ordered as well as disordered structures emerge, depending on the amount of internal torsion. We find that the highest packing densities are achieved in low torsion packings for large systems, but in high torsion packings for small systems. An analysis of both situations is given in terms of energetics and comparison is made to analytical models of DNA packing in viral capsids.