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Wrinkle formations in axi-symmetrically stretched membranes
J-C Géminard1, R Bernal, F Melo
1Departamento de Física Universidad de Santiago de Chile and Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Research in Materials CIMAT, Avenida Ecuador-3493, Santiago, Chile. jean-christophe.geminard@ens-lyon.fr
The European Physical Journal. E, Soft Matter
|October 27, 2004
Summary
Wrinkles in stretched elastic membranes form due to a critical force threshold. Increasing this force or decreasing membrane tension alters wrinkle patterns, offering insights into material behavior.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid Mechanics
- Physics of Soft Matter
Background:
- Wrinkles form in stretched elastic membranes under central force application.
- Understanding wrinkle formation is crucial for applications in nanotechnology and biomechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally characterize wrinkle patterns in elastic membranes under axi-symmetric traction.
- To investigate the influence of membrane tension and applied force on wrinkle characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study of initially stretched and flat elastic membranes.
- Systematic variation of membrane tension and central traction force.
- Accurate characterization of wrinkle wavelength and amplitude.
Main Results:
- Wrinkles emerge from a supercritical instability at a critical traction force dependent on membrane tension.
- Wrinkle length and amplitude increase with applied traction force.
- Wrinkle length and amplitude decrease with increasing membrane tension.
Conclusions:
- Experimental findings align with theoretical calculations based on symmetry and energy minimization.
- The study provides a framework for analyzing complex wrinkling phenomena in nano-films and cellular mechanics.