Vefum

Vefum is a term used in speculative chemistry to denote a class of synthetic amphiphilic macromolecules that self-assemble into vesicles in aqueous environments. In fiction and hypothetical research, vefum molecules feature a central backbone with alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic side chains, enabling closed bilayer structures that can encapsulate various cargos.

Properties attributed to vefum include tunable vesicle size, thermal stability, and responsiveness to environmental cues such as pH. The self-assembly is described as driven by amphiphilic balance and intermolecular interactions along the backbone, producing vesicles with controlled permeability.

Manufacture in the imagined context involves polymerization of monomer units, followed by purification steps such as dialysis. Formulations are typically dispersed in aqueous buffers. Characterization methods cited in speculative work include dynamic light scattering for size, electron microscopy for morphology, and leakage assays for permeability.

Proposed applications include targeted drug delivery, diagnostics, and nanoreactors for catalysis. The dual loading capability and stimulus responsiveness are highlighted as advantages, though scalability, stability, and safety evaluation are acknowledged as challenges in translating the concept beyond theory.

Origin notes: the term appears in speculative texts and is used as shorthand for vesicle-forming macromolecules. Its etymology is informal, and the concept remains largely within fictional or theoretical discussions rather than established experimental science.