Nonlinear response theory of molecular machines

TL;DR

This paper explores how molecular machines respond nonlinearly to external forces, revealing complex mechano-chemical interactions that influence their activity and collective behavior in non-equilibrium conditions.

Contribution

It introduces models demonstrating nonlinear responses in molecular machines driven far from equilibrium, highlighting the impact of force tuning on their activity and collective dynamics.

Findings

Nonlinear response causes non-monotonic activity in molecular machines.

External force tuning can control machine behavior and collective dynamics.

Implications for designing active matter systems with external fields.

Abstract

Chemical affinities are responsible for driving active matter systems out of equilibrium. At the nano-scale, molecular machines interact with the surrounding environment and are subjected to external forces. The mechano-chemical coupling which arises naturally in these systems reveals a complex interplay between chemical and mechanical degrees of freedom with strong impact on their active mechanism. By considering various models far from equilibrium, we show that the tuning of applied forces give rise to a nonlinear response that causes a non-monotonic behaviour in the machines' activity. Our findings have implications in understanding, designing, and triggering such processes by controlled application of external fields, including the collective dynamics of larger non-equilibrium systems where the total dissipation and performance might be affected by internal and inter-particle interactions.