Fluctuation-Induced Interactions between Rods on a Membrane

We consider the interaction between two rods embedded in a fluctuating surface. The modification of fluctuations by the rods leads to an attractive long-range interaction between them. We consider fluctuations governed by either surface tension (films) or bending rigidity (membranes). In both cases the interaction falls off with the separation of the rods as $1/R^4$. The orientational part of the interaction is proportional to $\cos^2\left[ \theta_1+\theta_2 \right]$ in the former case, and to $\cos^2\left[ 2\left(\theta_1+\theta_2\right) \right]$ in the latter, where $\theta_1$ and $\theta_2$ are angles between the rods and the line joining them. These interactions are somewhat reminiscent of dipolar forces and will tend to align collections of such rods into chains.Comment: REVTEX, 14 pages, with 2 Postscript figure

Kinetic study of the reaction of leuco methylene blue with 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone in a reverse micellar system

The kinetics of the reaction of leuco methylene blue (MBH) with 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone (DMBQ) were studied in a heptane/bis(2-ethylhexyl)-sulfosuccinate (AOT)/water reverse micellar system. The pseudo-first-order rate constant (k (obsd)) obtained in the presence of excess of DMBQ was found to be proportional to the initial concentration of DMBQ for W (0)=3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 (W (0)=[H2O]/[AOT]). The second-order rate constant (k (2)=k (obsd)/[DMBQ](0)) increased with an increase in the W (0) value, but was almost independent of the concentration of the water pool. A mechanism involving the distribution of DMBQ between the reverse micellar interface and bulk organic solvent was proposed to explain these findings.</p

Photochemical solar energy conversion utilizing semiconductors localized in membrane-mimetic systems

Extending the frontiers of colloidal photochemistry and colloidal electrochemistry to solar photochemistry research had been the main objective of this research. More specific objectives of this proposal include the examination of semiconductor-particle-mediated photoelectron transfer and photoelectric effects in different membrane mimetic systems. Emphasis had been placed on developing bilayer lipid membranes and Langmuir-Blodgett films as new membrane-mimetic systems, as well as on the characterization and utilization of these systems

Surface-modified bilayer ultrathin membranes

This report briefly describes the preparation, thickness, and absorption spectra of polymer-blend membranes with incorporated semiconductor materials. 2 figs. (JDL