Coupling between protein-laden films and a shearing bulk flow

Two-dimensional protein crystallization on lipid monolayers at a quiescent air/water interface is now a well-established process, but it only operates under a very restricted set of conditions and on a very slow time scale. We have recently been able to significantly extend the conditions under which the proteins will crystallize as well as speed up the process by subjecting the interface to a shearing flow. Here, we investigate the two-way coupling between a protein-laden film and the bulk flow that provides the interfacial shear. This flow in a stationary open cylinder is driven by the constant rotation of the floor. Using the Boussinesq–Scriven surface model for a Newtonian interface coupled to the Navier–Stokes equations for the bulk flow, we find that the surface shear viscosity of protein-laden films under most conditions is small or negligible. This is the case for films subjected to constant shearing flow, regardless of the duration of the flow. However, when the film is intermittently sheared, significant surface shear viscosity is evident. In these cases, the surface shear viscosity is not uniform across the film.

Graphical abstractTwo-way coupling was investigated between a protein-laden film and a bulk flow that enhances crystallization. Continuously sheared films exhibit small or negligible surface shear viscosity, whereas intermittently sheared films are viscous.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide