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Electric-Field Induced Morphological Transitions in Elastic Contact Instability of Soft Solid Films

Arun, N and Sarkar, J and Sharma, Ashutosh and Shenoy, VB and Narayan, KS (2007) Electric-Field Induced Morphological Transitions in Elastic Contact Instability of Soft Solid Films. In: The Journal of Adhesion, 83 (6). pp. 513-534.

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Abstract

A soft elastic film, when placed in adhesive proximity with a contactor in a crack-like geometry, spontaneously undergoes a surface instability to form finger patterns with a characteristic wavelength of approximately 4h, where h is the film thickness. We study the morphological evolution and control of this elastic contact instability under the influence of an external electric field. The distinct electric field induced morphological changes, leading to the formation of two-dimensional hexagonally arranged pillars, large-amplitude fingers, and straightening of contact edge, which are studied comprehensively. The conditions for the evolution of morphologically distinct patterns are governed by the film parameters, such as its shear modulus and thickness. A theoretical model and its stability analysis provide an approximate estimate of the critical voltage required for the onset of changes and its scaling with the film parameters (thickness and shear modulus). Further, three-dimensional simulations based on energy minimization are presented to provide important clues regarding the physics of pattern evolution on soft elastic interfaces.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publication: The Journal of Adhesion
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Additional Information: Copyright of this article belongs to Taylor & Francis Group.
Keywords: Electric field;Meniscus instability;PDMS;van der Waals forces
Department/Centre: Division of Chemical Sciences > Materials Research Centre
Date Deposited: 09 Jun 2008
Last Modified: 27 Aug 2008 13:26
URI: http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/14239

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