A method of inserting a lipid-linked moiety into a lipid assembly, such as a planar lipid monolayer or bilayer, a spherical lipid vesicle, a micelle, or an emulsion envelope monolayer is described. In the method, the lipid assembly and the lipid-linked moiety are contacted in the presence of microwave irradiation to permit the lipid-linked moiety to become associated with the lipid assembly. In one embodiment, the lipid assembly is a liposome and the lipid-linked moiety is a lipid-polymer. Compositions comprised of a lipid layer and of a lipid-linked moiety, prepared in accord with the method, are also described.