Convection cells in thin electrolytic films

The adhesion of biomembranes may display regular patterns even in the absen ce of specialized contact sites. In particular, recent experiments show tha t charged lipid vesicles adhere to an oppositely charged substrate forming blisters. Patterns in the thin aqueous electrolyte film confined between me mbranes can be appropriately described through an electro-hydrodynamics app roach. By solving the corresponding equations numerically, we show that, wh en steady non-homogeneous patterns are established, the electrolyte flows i n convective motion forming well structured cells. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.