  Bilayer membranes self-assembled from amphiphilic molecules such as lipids,
surfactants and block copolymers are ubiquitous in biological and
physiochemical systems. The shape and structure of bilayer membranes depend
crucially on their mechanical properties such surface tension, bending moduli
and line tension. Understanding how the molecular property of the amphiphiles
determine the structure and mechanics of the self-assembled bilayers requires a
molecularly detailed theoretical framework. The self-consistent field theory
provides such a theoretical framework, which is capable of accurately
predicting mechanical parameters of self-assembled bilayer membranes. In this
mini review we summarize the formulation of the self-consistent field theory,
as exemplified by a model system composed of flexible amphiphilic chains
dissolved in hydrophilic polymeric solvents, and its application to the study
of self-assembled bilayer membranes.
