Scaling of shear-induced transformations in membrane phases.
Surfactant sponges are complex-fluid phases made up of convolutions of bilayer sheets. Although isotropic and free flowing they exhibit transient birefringence when stirred, reminiscent of the birefringence of lamellar phases. Previous attempts to understand this effect have led to confusing and often conflicting results. We have used a novel approach to designing the chemical system that gives us control over the relevant parameters needed to study microstructural and macroscopic responses of these phases to shear. We find a remarkable universal scaling behavior for both sponge and shear-induced lamellar states, which resolves a number of long-standing questions about these systems.
Porcar
L
L
Solid State Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee 37831, USA.
Hamilton
W A
WA
Butler
P D
PD
Warr
Gregory G
GG
D008051:Lipid Bilayers / Q000737:chemistry*; D008566:Membranes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D012212:Rheology; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D014783:Viscosity
D008051:Lipid Bilayers; D013501:Surface-Active Agents