What is it about?
With the aid of mathematical and computational models, this paper investigates the equilibrium shapes of bubbles enveloped by fluid-elastic membranes. The paper derives differential equations that govern the mechanical equilibrium of such systems. These equations provide the equilibrium conditions, which suggest that either the motion of the membrane fluid ceases or a non-decaying stationary flow of mass can only be supported by axisymmetric shapes. Using a numerical method, the paper reveals a diverse family of new equilibrium configurations.
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Why is it important?
In the early 1970s, the puzzling biconcave shape of red blood cells was classically explained by Helfrich and others as an equilibrium configuration that minimizes energy assigned to the cell membrane. The model proposed by Helfrich et al. disregards any hydrodynamic effects within the membrane, which is reasonable considering the negligible weight of the lipid membrane. However, this paper demonstrates that for liquid membranes with significant weight, inertia effects of the membrane fluid can substantially impact the equilibrium shapes.
Perspectives
Whether many of these theoretically discovered shapes are exhibited by natural systems remains to be seen.
MAXIM OLSHANSKIY
University of Houston
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: On equilibrium states of fluid membranes, Physics of Fluids, June 2023, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0152423.
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