<P> In a non-polar solvent, it is the exposure of the hydrophilic head groups to the surrounding solvent that is energetically unfavourable, giving rise to a water - in - oil system . In this case, the hydrophilic groups are sequestered in the micelle core and the hydrophobic groups extend away from the center . These inverse micelles are proportionally less likely to form on increasing headgroup charge, since hydrophilic sequestration would create highly unfavorable electrostatic interactions . </P> <P> Supermicelle is a hierarchical micelle structure (supramolecular assembly) where individual components are also micelles . Supermicelles are formed via bottom - up chemical approaches, such as self - assembly of long cylindrical micelles into radial cross -, star - or dandelion - like patterns in a specially selected solvent; solid nanoparticles may be added to the solution to act as nucleation centers and form the central core of the supermicelle . The stems of the primary cylindrical micelles are composed of various block copolymers connected by strong covalent bonds; within the supermicelle structure they are loosely held together by hydrogen bonds, electrostatic or solvophobic interactions . </P> <P> When surfactants are present above the critical micelle concentration (CMC), they can act as emulsifiers that will allow a compound that is normally insoluble (in the solvent being used) to dissolve . This occurs because the insoluble species can be incorporated into the micelle core, which is itself solubilized in the bulk solvent by virtue of the head groups' favorable interactions with solvent species . The most common example of this phenomenon is detergents, which clean poorly soluble lipophilic material (such as oils and waxes) that cannot be removed by water alone . Detergents clean also by lowering the surface tension of water, making it easier to remove material from a surface . The emulsifying property of surfactants is also the basis for emulsion polymerization . </P> <P> Micelle formation is essential for the absorption of fat - soluble vitamins and complicated lipids within the human body . Bile salts formed in the liver and secreted by the gall bladder allow micelles of fatty acids to form . This allows the absorption of complicated lipids (e.g., lecithin) and lipid - soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) within the micelle by the small intestine . </P>

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