- Library Home /
- Search Collections /
- Open Collections /
- Browse Collections /
- UBC Theses and Dissertations /
- Mechanics of inter-monolayer coupling in fluid surfactant...
Open Collections
UBC Theses and Dissertations
UBC Theses and Dissertations
Mechanics of inter-monolayer coupling in fluid surfactant bilayers Yeung, Anthony Kwok-Cheung
Abstract
Fluid surfactant bilayers are composed of two mono-molecular sheets that are weakly held together by normal stresses. Except for viscous resistance, the monolayers are free to slide relative to one another — giving rise to “hidden” degrees of freedom within the composite structure. This thesis examines such an added level of complexity to the study of bi layer membranes. A continuum theory for monolayer-coupling is first developed, which forms the theoretical basis for the work reported here and for future analyses on stratified fluid membranes. The phenomenological coefficient of dynamic (viscous) coupling between monolayers is then measured experimentally by a novel method called nanotether extrusion. This technique, which is developed by myself for this present investigation, enables measurements of inter-monolayer viscous stresses in unsupported bilayers. Further, a useful spin-off from such a technique is the determination of bilayer bending rigidities. Finally, as an application of the present continuum model, the static and dynamic features of a bilayer vesicle’s Brownian shape undulations are predicted with the membrane con ceptualized as a stratified composite structure. Throughout this thesis, it is shown that the effects of bilayer stratification (monolayer-coupling) are very important. For example, the conformational dynamics of bilayer membranes on mesoscopic length scales (roughly between 1 to 100 nanometers) are governed by the inter-monolayer viscous forces; in such situations, dissipation due the surrounding hydrodynamics plays only a secondary role.
Item Metadata
Title |
Mechanics of inter-monolayer coupling in fluid surfactant bilayers
|
Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
|
Date Issued |
1994
|
Description |
Fluid surfactant bilayers are composed of two mono-molecular sheets that are weakly held
together by normal stresses. Except for viscous resistance, the monolayers are free to slide
relative to one another — giving rise to “hidden” degrees of freedom within the composite
structure. This thesis examines such an added level of complexity to the study of bi
layer membranes. A continuum theory for monolayer-coupling is first developed, which
forms the theoretical basis for the work reported here and for future analyses on stratified fluid membranes. The phenomenological coefficient of dynamic (viscous) coupling
between monolayers is then measured experimentally by a novel method called nanotether
extrusion. This technique, which is developed by myself for this present investigation, enables measurements of inter-monolayer viscous stresses in unsupported bilayers. Further,
a useful spin-off from such a technique is the determination of bilayer bending rigidities.
Finally, as an application of the present continuum model, the static and dynamic features
of a bilayer vesicle’s Brownian shape undulations are predicted with the membrane con
ceptualized as a stratified composite structure. Throughout this thesis, it is shown that
the effects of bilayer stratification (monolayer-coupling) are very important. For example,
the conformational dynamics of bilayer membranes on mesoscopic length scales (roughly
between 1 to 100 nanometers) are governed by the inter-monolayer viscous forces; in such
situations, dissipation due the surrounding hydrodynamics plays only a secondary role.
|
Extent |
2427245 bytes
|
Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
|
Language |
eng
|
Date Available |
2009-04-15
|
Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
|
Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
|
DOI |
10.14288/1.0085889
|
URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
|
Graduation Date |
1994-11
|
Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
|
Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
|
Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.