The Euler-Helfrich functional (Q2117983)

Given a compact, connected, oriented surface with smooth boundary, embedded in \(\mathbb{R}^3\), the authors consider the Euler-Hilfreich energy, that is, the sum of the Euler bending energy on \(\Sigma\) plus the Hilfreich elastic energy on \(\partial \Sigma\). This models for instance biological lipidic membranes. The authors study critical points, and refine their results when dealing with axially symmetric equilibria.