Hierarchical Knot Formation of Semiflexible Filaments Driven by Hydrodynamics

The spontaneous formation of knots in semiflexible filaments is not only a fundamental aspect of polymer physics but also plays a crucial role in biological systems, where DNA, proteins, and other macromolecules exhibit complex knotting behavior. From Brownian dynamics simulations, we examine the sedimentation of semiflexible filaments under strong fields. We show how hydrodynamics induce knotting dynamics and stabilization into tight knotted configurations. Controlling the knotting of semiflexible filaments presents opportunities to create materials with unique structural properties.