The conformations of semiflexible (bio)polymers are studied in flow-through geometrically structured microchannels. Using mesoscale hydrodynamics simulations, we show that the polymer undergoes a rod-to-helix transition as it moves from the narrow high-velocity region into the wide low-velocity region of the channel. The transient helix formation is the result of a nonequilibrium and nonstationary buckling transition of the semiflexible polymer, which is subjected to a compressive force originating from the fluid-velocity variation in the channel. The helix properties depend on the diameter ratio of the channel, the polymer bending rigidity, and the flow strength.

• Received 3 August 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.178101