Abstract
We simulate bacterial- and mammalian-like membranes under tensile stress and show that interfacial water helps membranes respond to mechanical stress. In mammalian-like membranes, the hydrogen-bonded water network remains stable under lateral stress. In bacterial-like membranes, stress smooths the membrane surface and partially separates water from the membrane. This suggests that interfacial water is not merely passive but actively contributes to membrane stability and resilience, with differences among membrane types potentially reflecting biological and evolutionary adaptations.
References
[1] V. Losasso, M. Chiricotto, and F. Martelli, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 18, 12368–12382 (2026).