Electric-field-controlled surface instabilities in soft elastic films

Abstract

The surfaces of soft elastic films spontaneously form patterns. Application of an electric field above a critical value (phi(cric)) to these patterns produces adhesive zones with distinct morphologies, such as pillars, large-amplitude fingers, or complete intimate contact (see Figure). These morphology changes, governed by film parameters such as stiffness and thickness, are explained by the physics of electrostatic-field-induced contact instabilities.

Publication
ADVANCED MATERIALS 18, 660+ (2006).
Date
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