title: The measurement of the kinetics of lipid phase transitions: a volume-perturbation kinetic calorimeter.
abstract: A volume-perturbation kinetic calorimeter to be used to study membrane phase transitions in lipid vesicles has been developed. In this instrument, the voltage-dependent extension of a stack of piezoelectric crystals is used to force the solution being studied to undergo a small adiabatic bidirectional volume change. This volume change induces a shift in the equilibrium position of the lipid gel to liquid-crystalline transition. The time course of the relaxation to the new equilibrium position is then monitored by observing the induced temperature and pressure changes as a function of time.
mesh_terms: D002151:Calorimetry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine; D004581:Electronics; D008055:Lipids; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D011312:Pressure; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D004134:Dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine