Transport of flexible molecules in narrow confinements

Abstract

Dynamical characteristics of flexible polymer molecules in nanoscopic confinements are primarily dictated by the relative values of the confinement length scales with respect to the polymer persistence length. Depending on whether the channel height is larger [1] or smaller [2] than the polymer persistence length, altogether different polymer dynamics is ensued, as illustrated in the pioneering theoretical studies by de Gennes [1] and Odijk [2]. Rapid advances of nanofabrication and polymer handling, over the last few years, have been able to provide experimental validation to these studies and at the same time have been able to unravel different intriguing physical issues unique to nanoconfinement induced dynamics of polymer molecules. These studies have led to a plethora of new applications ranging from the estimation of structural and mechanical properties of polymer to fabrication of novel, portable diagnostic tool kits. In this review article, we shall revisit different physical and technological iss...