Lipid-diffusion-limited kinetics of vesicle growth

We derive and solve kinetic equations describing spontaneous lipid-diffusio n-limited ripening of vesicles in a supersaturated solution of lipid molecu les. The process is assumed to occur via the Lifshitz-Slyozov scenario; i.e ., the larger vesicles are considered to grow at the expense of smaller one s via lipid desorption, diffusion, and condensation. The increase of the av erage vesicle radius is found to follow the power law [R] proportional to t (x) with x = 1/2.