Chiral Lipid Tubules

The control of the structure of lipid-derived tubules is discussed, with particular emphasis on recent advances and their resulting impact on materials applications. Since lipid tubules reflect the chiral nature of the lipids that form them, results from chiral dichroism studies are summarized. It is shown how tubule morphology can be improved, for example by structural modification of the commercially available lipid DC8,9PC, or how the mechanical strength of the tubules can be increased by cladding them with metal. Applications, in particular in the pharmaceutical and electronics industries, are considered.