Mathematics

Findings from Kyoto University Advance Knowledge in Geometry

  2012 APR 17 - (VerticalNews.com) -- Fresh data on Geometry are presented in the report "Geometry of twist transport in a rotating elastic rod." According to the authors of recent research from Kyoto, Japan, "An elastic rod rotating in a viscous fluid undergoes a shape transition from a twirling (axial spinning) to a whirling state (crankshafting motion) at a certain critical frequency [Wolgemuth et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 84, 1623 (2000)]. The physical properties of such whirling rods are largely unknown, owing to their strongly nonlinear character."

  "We analytically and numerically demonstrate that this dynamical transition occurs to reduce the viscous energy dissipation. A simple geometric interpretation underlying this observation is also given," wrote H. Wada and colleagues, Kyoto University.

  The researchers concluded: "These results provide a fundamental scenario for viscous twist transport in flexible filaments and are potentially important in the analysis of biopolymer dynamics such as DNA supercoiling during transcriptions."

  Wada and colleagues published their study in Physical Review E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Geometry of twist transport in a rotating elastic rod. Physical Review E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics, 2011;84(4 Pt 1):042901).

  For additional information, contact H. Wada, Yukawa Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kyoto University, Sakyo, 606-8502 Kyoto, Japan.

  Keywords: City:Kyoto, Country:Japan, Region:Asia, Mathematics.

  This article was prepared by VerticalNews Mathematics editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2012, VerticalNews Mathematics via VerticalNews.com.