Numerical method for the simulation of the Brownian dynamics of rod-like microstructures with three-dimensional nonlinear beam elements

In several fast-growing research areas such as material science, macromolecular chemistry, bioengineering and biophysics, the dynamics of rod-like microstructures such as polymers, rod-like viruses, flagella of bacteria or thin glass fibers plays a crucial role. These microstructures are typically embedded into some viscous fluid and kept by stochastic thermal forces in an incessant motion, the so-called Brownian dynamics. In this article, we introduce a novel approach wherein three-dimensional finite beam elements can be employed for the computer simulation of the Brownian dynamics of rod-like microstructures. This new approach is superior to state-of-the-art methods by its transparent theoretical foundation and its remarkable efficiency. By means of numerical examples, we demonstrate the applicability of this approach to problems of biophysics and macromolecular chemistry.