Microrheology probes length scale dependent rheology

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Mar 24;96(11):118104. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.118104. Epub 2006 Mar 23.

Abstract

We exploit the power of microrheology to measure the viscoelasticity of entangled F-actin solutions at different length scales from 1 to 100 microm over a wide frequency range. We compare the behavior of single probe-particle motion to that of the correlated motion of two particles. By varying the average length of the filaments, we identify fluctuations that dissipate diffusively over the filament length. These provide an important relaxation mechanism of the elasticity between 0.1 and 30 rad/sec.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actins / chemistry*
  • Elasticity
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Polystyrenes
  • Rheology
  • Solutions
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Actins
  • Polystyrenes
  • Solutions
  • Polyethylene Glycols