X-ray structure analysis of free-standing lipid membranes facilitated by micromachined apertures
Silicon and Teflon substrates have been structured by wet etching and a focused ion beam (FIB) to obtain very defined, clean apertures. Planar, free-standing lipid membranes (black lipid membranes (BLM)) with enhanced long-term stability have been prepared on these apertures by the methods of Montal and Müller1.2 as well as Müller and Rudin. 3 The stability and geometric control enables the use of