Materials Science of the Gel to Fluid Phase Transition in a Supported Phospholipid Bilayer

The material science of the gel to fluid phase transition in a supported phospholipid bilayer was discussed. It was found that the fluid to gel phase transition process featured substantial tearing of the bilayer due to the density change between the two phases. The analysis showed that the gel to fluid transition was strongly affected by the resultant stress introduced into the gel phase which changed the degree of cooperativity, the shape of developing fluid phase regions and the course of transition.