"Inchworm Filaments": Motility and Pattern Formation

TL;DR

This paper explores how patterned filaments with periodic twisting can exhibit inchworm-like movement and pattern formation on bonding surfaces, combining geometric analysis and simulation to reveal new motility mechanisms.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for filament motility based on geometric conformations and surface bonding, supported by simulation results.

Findings

Filaments can achieve inchworm-like movement through pattern and surface interactions.

Periodic twisting affects filament length and contact, enabling motility.

Simulation demonstrates potential for controlled pattern formation.

Abstract

In a previous paper, we examined a class of possible conformations for helically patterned filaments in contact with a bonding surface. In particular, we investigated geometries where contact between the pattern and the surface was improved through a periodic twisting and lifting of the filament. A consequence of this lifting is that the total length of the filament projected onto the surface decreases after bonding. When the bonding character of the surface is actuated, this phenomenon can lead to both lifelike "inchworm" behavior of the filaments and ensemble movement. We illustrate, through simulation, how pattern formation may be achieved through this mechanism.