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Membrane Fluidity

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.

The Fluid Mosaic Model

The Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.

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Micelle formation is an intricate process that hinges on the properties of amphiphilic or amphipathic molecules and the conditions of the system in which they are found. Amphiphilic molecules, which have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, play a critical role in this process.In aqueous environments, these molecules arrange themselves such that their hydrophilic heads are turned towards the water phase, while their hydrophobic tails are oriented away...

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High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal

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Light-responsive viscoelastic fluids based on anionic wormlike micelles.

Yechang Lu¹, Tengfei Zhou, Qing Fan

¹College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, PR China.

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

|October 23, 2013

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

New light-responsive fluids use wormlike micelles that change viscosity with UV light. This photo-isomerization allows reversible control, transitioning from gel-like states to low-viscosity fluids.

Keywords:

Cylindrical micelles Light-responsive systems Self-assembly Viscosity Wormlike micelles

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Soft Matter Physics
Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

Viscoelastic fluids are crucial in various applications.
Controlling fluid properties with external stimuli is a key research area.
Wormlike micelles form complex fluid structures.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop novel light-responsive viscoelastic fluids.
To investigate the role of azobenzene dye photo-isomerization on micelle structure and fluid properties.
To establish a method for reversible viscosity control using light.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of a cationic azobenzene dye (C0AZOC2IMB) and its use with sodium oleate (NaOA).
Rheological measurements to determine zero-shear viscosity (η0).
UV-vis spectroscopy, 1H NMR, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy to analyze structural transitions.

Main Results:

Binary systems of NaOA and C0AZOC2IMB form gel-like fluids due to entangled wormlike micelles.
Photo-isomerization of C0AZOC2IMB (trans to cis) upon UV irradiation drastically reduces viscosity from ~1300 Pa s to ~0.01 Pa s.
The transition is reversible, with cis-C0AZOC2IMB forming short cylindrical micelles.

Conclusions:

A new class of light-responsive viscoelastic fluids based on anionic wormlike micelles and a cationic azobenzene dye has been created.
The fluid's viscosity can be reversibly tuned by light-induced structural changes of the micelles.
This work demonstrates a promising approach for developing photo-switchable soft materials.