Jacob Israelachvili coauthored a theory connecting amphiphile geometry with self-assembly into micelles and bilayers. The relative sizes of the polar headgroup and hydrophobic chain constrain how molecules can pack into a curved interface.
This gives a physical connection between molecular architecture and aggregate shape. Changing headgroup interactions or chain volume can therefore alter the preferred assembly without changing the basic amphiphilic character of a molecule.[ref]
Theory of self-assembly of hydrocarbon amphiphiles by Jacob N. Israelachvili and others. Molecular packing and aggregate geometry
Jacob Israelachvili is a prominent scientist known for his contributions to the fields of surface and colloid science, as well as tribology (the study of friction, wear, and lubrication). He is best known for developing techniques and instruments to study intermolecular and surface forces at a molecular level, particularly through the use of the Surface Forces Apparatus (SFA).
New to topics? Read the docs here!