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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
10:28
Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2018
The surface energy of water: functional implications of hexagonal/cuboidal transformations in the surface arrays
1Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, UK. wilfred.widdas1@btopenworld.com
Summary
Minimum surfaces are crucial in biological membranes, similar to how spheres minimize surface area for liquids. Water
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Biological membranes utilize minimum surfaces for structural integrity, a principle observed in liquid droplets forming spheres.
- The sphere's minimum surface-area-to-volume ratio (3/r) is a fundamental geometric property.
- Water's unique chemistry, driven by polar covalent bonds and charge distribution (delta+ on H, delta- on O), dictates its cohesive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional implications of minimum surfaces in biological membranes.
- To explore unexpected properties of water relevant to membrane structure and function.
- To connect geometric principles with the chemical properties of water in biological contexts.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on minimum surfaces and water chemistry.
- Model building to illustrate unexpected properties.
- Presentation of findings as a poster at the 4th World Congress of Cellular and Molecular Biology.
Main Results:
- Minimum surfaces play a key role in the structure of biological membranes.
- Water's polar properties and electrostatic forces contribute significantly to liquid and semi-crystal structures at surfaces.
- These forces are comparable in strength to covalent bonds, influencing molecular interactions.
Conclusions:
- The principles of minimum surfaces and water's unique chemical properties are essential for understanding biological membrane structure and function.
- Unexpected properties revealed through model building offer new insights.
- Further research into these areas can advance our understanding of cellular processes.
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