The advent of atomic force microscopy (AFM) has provided a powerful tool for investigating the behaviors of single native biological molecules under physiological conditions. AFM can not only image the conformational changes of single biological molecules at work with sub-nanometer resolution, but also sense the specific interactions of individual molecular pair with piconewton force sensitivit...

Experimental variables of optical tweezers instrumentation that affect RNA folding/unfolding kinetics were investigated. A model RNA hairpin, P5ab, was attached to two micron-sized beads through hybrid RNA/DNA handles; one bead was trapped by dual-beam lasers and the other was held by a micropipette. Several experimental variables were changed while measuring the unfolding/refolding kinetics, i...

The diffusional isotope effect of a monatomic Lennard-Jones liquid is calculated by molecular-dynamics simulation. Mass differences of 10-40 % were used. At equilibrium density, with decreasing temperature a strong reduction of the isotope effect is found that indicates a marked increase of the collectivity of motion. Changing the density at constant temperature, the same effect is seen that sh...

Our experiments and molecular dynamics simulations on a projectile penetrating a two-dimensional granular medium reveal that the mean deceleration of the projectile is constant and proportional to the impact velocity. Thus, the time taken for a projectile to decelerate to a stop is independent of its impact velocity. The simulations show that the probability distribution function of forces on g...

In this study, a numerical computational fluid dynamics study is conducted in order to predict the aerodynamic forces on the NP car. The turbulent air flow around the car is modeled using the realizable k-ε model. First, results are validated against those presented for the Ahmed’s body. Next, the fluid flow around the car is simulated for different car speeds ( to mph) and fl...

Tissues and organs undergo constant physical perturbations and individual cells must respond to mechanical forces to maintain tissue integrity. However, molecular interactions underlying mechano-transduction are not fully defined at cell-cell junctions. This is in part due to weak and transient interactions that are likely prevalent in force-induced protein complexes. Using in situ proximal bio...

All-atom molecular dynamics simulations of an elastohydrodynamic lubrication oil film are performed to study the effect of pressure. Fluid molecules of n-hexane are confined between two solid plates under a constant normal force of 0.1–8.0 GPa. Traction simulations are performed by applying relative sliding motion to the solid plates. A transition in the traction behavior is observed around 0.5...