Adhesion induced by mobile binders: dynamics.

Abstract

We consider a vesicle bilayer loaded with molecules that can bind (upon contact) with a solid surface, following the classical model of Bell, Dembo, and Bongrand. We are interested in situations where the contact area varies with time: we assume that binders can then migrate via diffusion. The resulting dissipation and lag create a retarded force on the contact line, which could be significant in squeezing or rolling experiments. However, there are two cases where we expect the lag force to be ineffective: (i) separation by shrinking of an adhesive patch (where the Evans "tear out" process turns out to be less costly) and (ii) spontaneous growth of a patch from a point contact. In this last case, the lag force is weak, and we give detailed predictions for the growth laws.