The influence of osmotic pressure on the lifespan of cellularly inspired energy-relevant materials

Esha Kapania; Katherine Guillen; Eric Freeman; Michael Philen

doi:10.1117/12.2052841

1 April 2014 The influence of osmotic pressure on the lifespan of cellularly inspired energy-relevant materials

Esha Kapania, Katherine Guillen, Eric Freeman, Michael Philen

Proceedings Volume 9057, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2014; 90573E (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052841
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Bimolecular unit cells have recently become a focus for biologically-inspired smart materials. This is largely due their ability to exhibit many of the same properties as the natural cell membrane. In this study, two lipid monolayers formed at a water/oil interface are brought together, creating a lipid bilayer at their interface with each droplet containing a different concentration of ions. This ionic concentration gradient leads to the development of a membrane potential across the bilayer as ions begin to passively diffuse across the membrane at varying rates, providing the proof of concept for energy storage through cellular mechanics. The focus of the study is to determine the influence of osmotic pressure on the lifespan of the lipid bilayer. We hypothesize that the greater osmotic pressure that develops from a greater ionic concentration gradient will prove to have a negative impact on the lifespan of the bilayer membrane, causing it to rupture sooner. This is due to the substantial amount of osmotic swelling that will occur to compensate for the ionic concentration gradient. This study will demonstrate how osmotic pressure will continue to be a limiting factor in the effectiveness and stability of cellularly-inspired energy relevant materials.

Citation Download Citation

Esha Kapania, Katherine Guillen, Eric Freeman, and Michael Philen "The influence of osmotic pressure on the lifespan of cellularly inspired energy-relevant materials", Proc. SPIE 9057, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2014, 90573E (1 April 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2052841

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