Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation

    Anomalous dewetting dynamics in active entangled polymer films: Semiflexible chains

    Mithun Chowdhury*

    • *Contact author: mithunc@iitb.ac.in

    Phys. Rev. E 114, 055411 – Published 12 November, 2026

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/8f5t-nwwd

    Abstract

    Dewetting of a thin polymer film probes the stress and mobility frozen in during preparation. A companion theory showed that self-propulsion enhances the elastic modulus of flexible active films through grip forces at entanglements. Here I derive the semiflexible case relevant to biological filaments. Because a semiflexible chain reorients along its tube, grip forces from successive segments add in quadrature. At fixed persistence length ℓp and propulsion strength, this changes the activity parameter α (the ratio of active to passive plateau modulus) from α∝L to α∝(ℓpL)1/2 in the chain contour length L, and the active viscosity from L2 to L3/2, a scaling class lying between the passive (L3) and flexible active (L2) melts. The biexponential relaxation is retained; an exact relation between the fast-channel weight and α renders three observables stiffness-independent, while the kink in sequential nucleation and hole growth dynamics fixes the propulsion speed alone, while its amplitude ratio returns the activity parameter and hence the stiffness. A parameter-free wormlike-chain numerical simulation confirms the quadrature scaling and its crossover to the coherent limit, and published T. Tubifex worm rheology qualitatively supports the two-channel picture.

    Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

    Authorization Required

    We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

    References (Subscription Required)

    Outline

    Information

    Sign In to Your Journals Account

    Filter

    Filter

    Article Lookup

    Enter a citation