Here's one (which by chance, turned up just this morning) .. for Bert and Alex ..
UCSB Researchers First to Develop Equation that Predicts Molecular Forces in Hydrophobic Interactions
Quote:
The physical model to describe the hydrophobic interactions of molecules has been a mystery that has challenged scientists and engineers since the 19th century.
Hydrophobic interactions are central to explaining why oil and water don’t mix, how proteins are structured, and what holds biological membranes together.
Chemical engineering researchers at UC Santa Barbara have developed a novel method to study these forces at the atomic level, and have for the first time defined a mathematical equation to measure a substance’s hydrophobic character.
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.. So, first the observation of separation in water, (as per Bert's original post on it), and now, the empirical quantification of it !
More pieces of the puzzle coming together …
The applicability to life molecules ? ….
Quote:
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One example of how hydrophobic interactions are critical to biomedical applications can be found in how DNA base pairs on the two strands are drawn together to form a double helix. The basic structure of a DNA molecule is a hydrophilic backbone and a hydrophobic inner region of nitrogenous bases (adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine). These molecular hydrophobic forces repel the water between them which drives the bases towards each other.
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Very interesting !
Cheers