Elastic Modulus of Gaussian Curvature of Partially Polymerized Surfactant Membranes

The effect of partial polymerization of surfactant membranes on the elastic modulus of Gaussian curvature, κ̄, is considered. We show that the steric interaction within a polymer causes a local increase of this modulus. For a dilute polymer solution, this results in a nonuniformity of κ̄ which may influence the shape of the membrane. The increase of the modulus of Gaussian curvature is probably weak for linear polymers, reaching an order of kT in favorable conditions, but it may be strong for branched polymers.