{
  "id": "0708.1802",
  "version": "v3",
  "published": "2007-08-14T05:17:57.000Z",
  "updated": "2007-08-24T10:39:53.000Z",
  "title": "Active elastic dimers: self-propulsion and current reversal on a featureless track",
  "authors": [
    "K. Vijay Kumar",
    "Sriram Ramaswamy",
    "Madan Rao"
  ],
  "comment": "4 pages",
  "categories": [
    "cond-mat.stat-mech",
    "cond-mat.soft",
    "q-bio.BM"
  ],
  "abstract": "We present a Brownian inchworm model of a self-propelled elastic dimer in the absence of an external potential. Nonequilibrium noise together with a stretch-dependent damping form the propulsion mechanism. Our model connects three key nonequilibrium features -- position-velocity correlations, a nonzero mean internal force, and a drift velocity. Our analytical results, including striking current reversals, compare very well with numerical simulations. The model unifies the propulsion mechanisms of DNA helicases, polar rods on a vibrated surface, crawling keratocytes and Myosin VI. We suggest experimental realizations and tests of the model.",
  "revisions": [
    {
      "version": "v3",
      "updated": "2007-08-24T10:39:53.000Z"
    }
  ],
  "analyses": {
    "keywords": [
      "active elastic dimers",
      "featureless track",
      "self-propulsion",
      "propulsion mechanism",
      "nonzero mean internal force"
    ],
    "note": {
      "typesetting": "TeX",
      "pages": 4,
      "language": "en",
      "license": "arXiv",
      "status": "editable",
      "adsabs": "2007arXiv0708.1802V"
    }
  }
}