e-drexler.com >

Previous   Parent   Next   

The mechanical behavior of molecular systems

Molecular mechanics methods can be used to analyze a variety of moving parts, including symmetrical bearings with low energy barriers (<< kT300), corresponding to extremely low static friction. Dynamical simulations in this section contrast stiff molecular structures to floppy molecules of the sort familiar to today’s organic chemists.

Stiff vs. floppy molecular structures:

Link down  Most large molecules made by conventional synthesis are floppy

Link down  Large molecules made by mechanosynthesis can be stiff

Link down  Dynamical simulation illustrates the behavior of a floppy molecule

Link down  Dynamical simulation illustrates the behavior of a stiff molecule

Link down  Dynamical simulation shows a fast-moving ring

Atomic interactions in sliding interfaces:

Link down  Stiffly supported sliding atoms have a smooth interaction potential

Link down  Softly supported sliding atoms can undergo abrupt transitions in energy

Simple mechanical devices:

Link down  Molecular bearings

(cc) 2004 , revised: 01.08.2004

           search  |  map  |  home  |  FAQ  |  new        Previous   Parent   Next