Abstract
Glycolipids are components of cellular membranes comprising a hydrophobic lipid tail and one or more hydrophilic sugar heads, and are widely associated with the fields of life science and biochemistry. Due to the hygroscopic nature of sugar, the dry thermotropic phases of glycolipids have fewer studies. We report on the electric charge generation in anhydrous glucosides excited by the external high electric field (∼2 MV/m). This causes a large current in the smectic A phase, but not in the isotropic phase. Its intensity is about 100 times larger than the steady state current. The generation of the current was found to be irreversible by the repetition of the field application. The large electric carrier generation is originated in the smectic A phase, possibly due to an electron avalanche breakdown mechanism caused by the collisions of electrons through the impact ionization.
Highlights
Glycolipids are widely associated with the fields of life science and biochemistry because of their amphiphilic nature
In order to get a detailed picture of the effects on the transient current of electric field strength, frequency of the applied electric field, and temperature, we have investigated the behavior of a large number of cells
The generation of the transient current was observed in the smectic A (SmA) phase, but not in the isotropic phase
Summary
Glycolipids are widely associated with the fields of life science and biochemistry because of their amphiphilic nature. This work reported that the phase change was accompanied by a transient current; the generation of air bubbles was observed by using the polarizing optical microscope (POM) This SmA-isotropic field-induced phase transition was rather unexpected, since a strong electric field usually induces ordering in the system as demonstrated by Ostapenko et al.. We used a simple bilayer model of dry glycolipids, i.e., the anhydrous βOG in the SmA phase to study the complex electrical phenomenon. These appear when an electric field is applied under the conditions where the anomalous transient current was observed.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
