Scientific Achievement

  • Researchers in the Structured Liquids program developed theory for the dynamic transport properties of droplet interfacial bilayers

Significance and Impact

  • Introduced the concept of a ‘dynamic’ membrane permeability that is linked to the growth dynamics of membrane pores
  • The perspective is applicable to a wide class of membranes, and allows for distinct mechanisms of pore growth
  • Dynamic permeability allows for transient size selectivity

Research Details

  • Analytical theory based on the in-plane mechanics of a droplet interface bilayer
  • Extended classical theory of Ostwald ripening to quasi two-dimensional membranes

Publication Details

N.A. Sarma, D.A. King, B.A. Helms, P.D. Ashby, T.P. Russell, A.K. Omar, Soft Matter (2026).

DOI:10.1039/D6SM00150E

Work was performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.