Shape transitions of giant liposomes induced by an anisotropic spontaneous curvature

TL;DR

This paper investigates how magnetic fields and electrostatic interactions induce shape transitions in giant liposomes, revealing mechanisms behind their deformation from spherical to ellipsoidal forms.

Contribution

It demonstrates that electrostatic interactions combined with magnetic fields can control liposome shape transitions, a novel insight into liposome manipulation.

Findings

Magnetic fields induce prolate or oblate shapes in liposomes.

Electrostatic interactions trigger shape transitions.

Symmetry breaking leads to ellipsoidal deformations.

Abstract

We explore how a magnetic field breaks the symmetry of an initially spherical giant liposome filled with a magnetic colloid. The condition of rotational symmetry along the field axis leads either to a prolate or to an oblate ellipsoid. We demonstrate that an electrostatic interaction between the nanoparticles and the membrane triggers the shape transition. PACS numbers: 75.