Effective diffusion rate through a random polymer network in tension

Random networks of elastic material, such as polymer gels and cytoskeletal structures, are frequently found in synthetic and biological materials. Diffusion of nanoparticles through these networks and their mechanical properties has been extensively investigated over the past years. However, little attention has been paid to the diffusion rate through networks subject to mechanical deformation. Here, using two mesoscopic simulation methods, we examine the effective diffusion of nanoscopic particles through a random network of elastic material in tension. The mesoscopic methods used are as follows: 1) Bond-bending lattice spring model (LSM) that consists of lattice sites connected by one-dimensional harmonic spring and captures the deformation of a random elastic network. 2) Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) that explicitly resolves the hydrodynamic interactions between the network and particles.