Evaluating the Failure Pressure of Bilayer Lipid Membranes by a Controllable Electromagnetic Test Fixture

Abstract

The motion of plants is the inspiration for a new biomimetic actuator that uses fluid transport across a bilayer lipid membrane (BLM) to create internal pressure and cause displacement in the actuator. In order for the actuator to be viable the BLM must be able to withstand this internal pressure without failing. In a previous study, BLMs were formed over a porous polycarbonate substrate and a hydrostatic pressure was applied to the BLM and gradually increased until failure. This test was performed over different pore sizes to measure the failure pressure of the BLM as a function of pore radius. To improve this series of experiments, a new test fixture has been developed that will allow for a more precise measurement of the failure pressure as well as an expanded range of failure pressures. It is computer controlled, using an electromagnetic actuator to pressurize the BLMs and a pressure transducer to monitor pressure. The design scheme for this test fixture and some preliminary results will be presented.