Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Three eras of micellization.

J C Neu1, J A Cañizo, L L Bonilla

  • 1Department of Mathematics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA. neu@math.berkeley.edu

Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|January 7, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study models micellization, the process of lipid aggregation in aqueous solutions. It identifies three distinct kinetic eras governing lipid cluster formation and growth, from initial monomer decrease to final equilibrium distribution.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Charging capacitors using diodes at different temperatures. I. Theory.

Physical review. E·2026
Same author

Charging capacitors using diodes at different temperatures. II. Numerical studies.

Physical review. E·2026
Same author

Power laws of natural swarms as fingerprints of an extended critical region.

Physical review. E·2024
Same author

Soliton approximation in continuum models of leader-follower behavior.

Physical review. E·2023
Same author

Charging capacitors from thermal fluctuations using diodes.

Physical review. E·2023
Same author

Mean-field theory of chaotic insect swarms.

Physical review. E·2023

Area of Science:

  • Physical Chemistry
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Biophysical Chemistry

Background:

  • Micellization involves lipid precipitation into aggregates with varying aggregation numbers.
  • Understanding the kinetics of micellization is crucial for various chemical and biological processes.
  • Existing models may not fully capture the dynamic stages of aggregate formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the distinct kinetic eras of micellization using a kinetic model.
  • To describe the evolution of lipid aggregates from initial monomers to equilibrium distributions.
  • To provide a framework for understanding the dynamics of self-assembly in solution.

Main Methods:

  • A simple kinetic model of the Becker-Döring type was employed.
  • The model assumes constant energy for monomer-monomer bonds in linear chains.
  • Mathematical analysis involved describing monomer decrease, cluster growth, and diffusion-controlled processes.

Main Results:

  • Three kinetic eras of micellization were identified and characterized.
  • The first era shows a sharp decrease in monomers and formation of small clusters.
  • The second era exhibits steady nucleus growth leading to self-similar distributions, followed by a mean-field Fokker-Planck description for the final equilibrium phase.

Conclusions:

  • The kinetic model successfully describes the multi-stage process of micellization.
  • Lipid aggregation proceeds through distinct phases, each governed by specific kinetic principles.
  • This framework aids in understanding the complex dynamics of lipid self-assembly and aggregate distribution.

Related Experiment Videos