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Abstract
Droplet interface bilayers (DIBs) are formed when lipid-coated droplets in organic solvents are brought into contact. Recent developments in research successfully formed bilayers in a thermoreversible organogel, increasing portability and durability of the droplet interface bilayer system. The encapsulation of the droplet interface bilayers portrays a self-supported liquid-in-gel, tissue-like material behavior upon cooling. The relationship between the degree of deformation and the inclusion radius in a soft polymer was confirmed by a numerical analysis study proposed in this thesis. Small inclusions tend to stiffen the surrounding matrix whereas larger droplets were found to be more compliant. The calibrated single inclusion properties were then utilized to observe the behavior of double droplets in the soft polymer.An empirical formula is proposed for the relationship between the change in the cosine of the bilayer contact angle and the applied strain. As anticipated, a change in the membrane area is also observed as a result of the applied strain which relates to the change in the bilayer tension relevant for MscL gating.