Self-Dual Bending Theory for Vesicles

TL;DR

This paper introduces a self-dual bending theory for vesicles, using a topological approach to model their nonlinear behavior, with applications to vesicles distorted by external forces.

Contribution

The paper develops a novel self-dual bending theory for vesicles based on topological methods, providing new insights into their nonlinear global behavior.

Findings

Vesicles modeled as frustrated sine-Gordon kinks

Application to vesicles distorted by polar latex beads

Enhanced understanding of vesicle deformation mechanisms

Abstract

We present a self-dual bending theory that may enable a better understanding of highly nonlinear global behavior observed in biological vesicles. Adopting this topological approach for spherical vesicles of revolution allows us to describe them as frustrated sine-Gordon kinks. Finally, to illustrate an application of our results, we consider a spherical vesicle globally distorted by two polar latex beads.