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Mechanical Properties of Biopolymer Chains

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Ruth Pachter ,
Peter D. Haaland ,
Robert L. Crane  and
W. Wade Adams
Ruth Pachter
Affiliation:
Materials Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433
Peter D. Haaland
Affiliation:
Materials Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433
Robert L. Crane
Affiliation:
Materials Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433
W. Wade Adams
Affiliation:
Materials Directorate, Wright Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433
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Abstract

Molecular simulations that predict the molecular mechanical response of alpha-helical biopolymers with a reinforcing intra-molecular hydrogen bonding network, viz,, a ‘spring-like’ behavior, are presented in this study. Mechanical properties of extended biopolymer strands based on naturally occurring amino acids, namely poly(L-A1a) and for comparison poly(LGlu), versus synthetic PPTA containing an amide bond, are compared to those assuming alpha-helical structures. Thus, the pivotal role of such motifs in biological systems utilizing superior compressive mechanical properties can be inferred.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 292: Symposium S – Biomolecular Materials , 1992 , 199
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1993

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