Myelin figures: the buckling and flow of wet soap

Myelin figures are interfacial structures formed when certain surfactants swell in excess water. Here, I present data and model calculations suggesting the formation and growth of myelins is due to the fluid flow of surfactant, driven by the hydration gradient at the dry surfactant/water interface; a simple model based on this idea qualitatively reproduces various myelin growth behaviors observed in different experiments. From a detailed experimental observation of how myelins develop from a planar precursor structure, I identify a mechanical instability that may underlie myelin formation. These results indicate the mixed mechanical character of the surfactant lamellar structure, where fluid and elastic properties coexist, is what enables the formation and growth of myelins.