118 An experimental study of a giant vesicle in a simple shear flow
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Deformation and motion of lipid bilayer vesicles with diameter of 10-50μm (giant vesicle, GV) in a simple-shear-flow have been observed by phase contrast microscopy. We develop a rotating-cylinder apparatus, which can create a simple-shear-flow with a steady shear rate. GVs prepared by the gentle hydration method are transferred to the apparatus and their behaviors in the flow were observed. In our observation, GVs are deformed to steady ellipsoidal shapes and show constant orientations with θ, which is the angle between the major axis and the flow direction. It is also observed that θ, becomes smaller with decrease of swelling ratio τ, which indicates the degree of deflation. Our experimental result shows the same tendency as the theoretical analysis does [Keller and Skalak, 1982, J. Fluid. Mech., 120, 27-47.].
