Helical Structures
Helical Structures - Related Videos
12:38
Structure of HIV-1 Capsid Assemblies by Cryo-electron Microscopy and Iterative Helical Real-space Reconstruction
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Cited by 8 •
2011
This article describes a method to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) structure of helically assembled molecules using cryo-electron microscopy. In this protocol, we use HIV-1 capsid assemblies to illustrate the detailed 3D reconstruction procedure for achieving a density map by the iterative helical real-space reconstruction method.
12:24
Helical Organization of Blood Coagulation Factor VIII on Lipid Nanotubes
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Cited by 9 •
2014
We present a combination of Cryo-electron microscopy, lipid nanotechnology, and structure analysis applied to resolve the membrane-bound structure of two highly homologous FVIII forms: human and porcine. The methodology developed in our laboratory to helically organize the two functional recombinant FVIII forms on negatively charged lipid nanotubes (LNT) is described.
09:22
Self-assembling Morphologies Obtained from Helical Polycarbodiimide Copolymers and Their Triazole Derivatives
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2017
Here, we present a protocol to prepare and visualize secondary structures (e.g., fibers, toroidal architectures, and nano-spheres) derived from helical polycarbodiimides. The morphology characterized by both atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was shown to depend on molecular structure, concentration, and the solvent of choice.
07:58
Improving the Combustion Performance of a Hybrid Rocket Engine using a Novel Fuel Grain with a Nested Helical Structure
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Cited by 4 •
2021
A technique utilizing a solid fuel grain with a novel nested helical structure to improve the combustion performance of a hybrid rocket engine is presented.
16:24
Analyzing and Building Nucleic Acid Structures with 3DNA
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Cited by 63 •
2013
The 3DNA software package is a popular and versatile bioinformatics tool with capabilities to analyze, construct, and visualize three-dimensional nucleic acid structures. This article presents detailed protocols for a subset of new and popular features available in 3DNA, applicable to both individual structures and ensembles of related structures.
FAQs
Pitch controls the axial progression between successive turns, while radius determines the size of the winding path. Changing either parameter alters the relationship between curvature and axial development, which affects how the structure transmits bending, torsion, and compression. Engineers vary these dimensions to balance stiffness, deformation, stability, and spatial requirements in a design.
These parameters govern how forces are distributed through the structure. Winding direction establishes the handedness of the form, cross-sectional shape affects the way the member carries loads, and material influences its response to deformation and stress. Considering them together helps engineers predict stress distribution and select a configuration suited to the required mechanical behavior.
Bending, torsion, and compression do not act on a helical form in the same way. The geometry redirects each load along a curved, progressing path, so the resulting stiffness, deformation, and stress distribution depend on both the applied load and the helix parameters. Separating these loading cases is therefore important when evaluating performance and stability.
A geometry-based analysis can relate pitch, radius, winding direction, cross-sectional shape, and material to predicted stiffness, stability, deformation, and stress distribution. Engineers can use those relationships to compare design options before selecting a final configuration. This supports efficient structural decisions when the form must carry loads while meeting mechanical or spatial constraints.
Begin by specifying the required function and loading conditions, then define the helix parameters, including pitch, radius, winding direction, cross-sectional shape, and material. Analyze how the proposed geometry transmits bending, torsion, and compression, and evaluate its stiffness, stability, deformation, and stress distribution. The results guide refinement toward an efficient design.
Their geometry supports springs, screw threads, coils, helical gears, staircases, and lightweight structural members. These applications use the same underlying control of curvature, axial progression, and load transmission but impose different design priorities. For example, a component may emphasize mechanical response, spatial access, or reduced structural weight, depending on its engineering role.
Mechanical, civil, aerospace, and biomedical engineering can all apply helical-geometry analysis, although the design requirements differ across fields. The analysis provides a common way to examine stiffness, stability, deformation, and stress distribution while accounting for geometry and material. This makes the approach useful for both load-bearing components and spatial or lightweight structural designs.