Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Formation of Biomembrane Microarrays with a Squeegee-based Assembly Method
Published on: May 8, 2014
Pickering Membranes Stabilized by Saturn Particles
Matthias M Krejca1, Cornell Wüstner1, Werner A Goedel1
1Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chemnitz University of Technology , Straße der Nationen 62, 09111 Chemnitz, Germany.
Abstract:
We report on a novel method to synthesize particles-called by us Saturn particles-having two hydrophobic caps that oppose each other and are separated from each other by a hydrophilic belt that encircles the particle. Mixtures of these particles with water and air, without the usage of low molar mass surfactants, easily form Pickering foams and Pickering membranes that are stable for days. These Pickering membranes are composed of a thin film of water into which the particles are embedded in such a way that the belt is surrounded by the water and the caps protrude out of the water into the air at the top and bottom side of the water film. As expected for a liquid membrane, these Pickering membranes are permeable for gases, with the permeance being proportional to the solubility and diffusion coefficient of the gas considered. Experimentally obtained permeance values agree reasonably well with theoretical calculations.
Related Concept Videos
Fluid Mosaic Model
Membrane Fluidity
Membrane Fluidity
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with...
Lipids as Anchors
The carboxy-terminal of most of the prenylated proteins, such as Ras proteins, contains...
Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane

