Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2016
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Degree Type
Thesis
Abstract
The “9+2” flagellum is a complex structure with many interacting components, both passive and active, that have key dimensions on the order of nanometers. The behavior of the flagellum is readily measured at the scale of microns, with tools and techniques such as the optical trap and micromanipulation. Structural finite element software (ABAQUS) is used to set up and analyze a nanoscale structural model for flagella axoneme, and a finite element tool for solving partial differential equations (PDEs) (COMSOL) is used to set up and solve a one-dimensional (1-D) PDE model. The purpose of the study is to determine: (1) how well “coarse-grained” models of the flagellum, using one-dimensional partial differential equations (1-D-PDEs), can replicate the behavior of the “9+2” flagellum; and (2) what measurements of global properties of the flagellum at the micron scale can tell us about the nanoscale mechanics of the flagellum. The effects of mesh sizes and stiffness on the two models are studied. The effects of elastic parameters: flexural rigidity and shear stiffness, on the response of the 1-D PDE model are studied.
Language
English (en)
Chair
Philip Bayly
Committee Members
Philip Bayly David Peters Jin-Yu Shao
Comments
Permanent URL: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7QR4VC4