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Microtensiometer for Confocal Microscopy Visualization of Dynamic Interfaces

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Published on: September 9, 2022

Active elastocapillarity in soft solids with negative surface tension.

Jack Binysh¹, Thomas R Wilks^2,3, Anton Souslov¹

¹Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK.

Science Advances

|March 11, 2022

Summary

Researchers developed a new theory for 3D active solids with stressed surfaces. This work explores novel shape changes and wave propagation in active materials, offering principles for advanced metamaterials and nanoparticles.

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Area of Science:

Soft matter physics
Materials science
Continuum mechanics

Background:

Active solids utilize energy for actuation and shape change, unlike equilibrium materials.
Controlling 3D active bulk materials presents significant challenges compared to active interfaces.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a theoretical and simulation framework for 3D soft solids with active surface stresses.
To explore phenomena arising from the interplay between active boundaries and elastic bulk properties.

Main Methods:

Development of continuum theory for active surface stresses in 3D soft solids.
Utilizing microscopic simulations to model material behavior.
Applying Landau theory for universal classification of shape transitions.

Main Results:

Discovery of active elastocapillarity phenomena in 3D bulk materials.
Identification of bulk elasticity controlling snap-through transitions to anisotropic shapes.
Observation of modified elastic wave propagation with zero or negative group velocities.

Conclusions:

Active surface stresses in 3D soft solids enable novel shape transformations and wave dynamics.
The findings provide principles for programming functionality into active solids, from metamaterials to nanoparticles.