Abstract
Self-organizing systems, such as aqueous surfactant solutions forming vesicles and other microscopic structures, provide insights into complex biological architectures. Myelin figures, formed by the self-assembly of amphiphilic molecules around oil droplets, resemble structures found in biological systems, specifically myelin sheaths around nerve fibers. This study investigates the formation of myelin figures in a decanol-sodium decanoate system using polarized optical microscopy. The system's simplicity allows for the exploration of emergent behaviour, akin to biological processes. By varying parameters such as pH and salt concentration, the morphology and growth of myelin figures and anisotropy evolution are examined. Understanding the mechanisms driving myelin figure formation provides fundamental knowledge applicable to wet artificial life research. Insights gained from this study contribute to our understanding of self-organization and emergent behaviour in complex systems, offering potential applications in drug delivery, materials science, and biomedical research. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the parallels between artificial systems and biological processes, enhancing our understanding of both. Through interdisciplinary approaches, such as those employed in this study, we can uncover the intricate interplay between chemical systems and biological phenomena, paving the way for innovative solutions in artificial life research and beyond.