Mechanics of Anisotropic Semiflexible Networks
The study of semiflexible networks has direct applications to cellular mechanics. In particular, the cytoskeleton of a cell is a prime example of a nematically ordered semiflexible networks. Using computer simulations, we were able generate a directionally ordered network and model its responses to shear. In doing so, we observed interesting nonlinear behaviour and a breakdown of rotational symmetry. Previous work had attributed this behavior due to buckling within the system, which caused filaments compressed by shear to buckle. This paper attempts to explore an interesting feature noticed within the network, namely, that as shear increased, the buckling seemed to propagate outward from a point of origin. To measure this, Matlab code was used to generate a correlation function from the buckling data, and it was found that the observed buckling did propagate outward. Currently more work is being done to model the mechanism behind this buckling propagation.