Controlled mud-crack patterning and self-organized cracking of polydimethylsiloxane elastomer surfaces.

ABSTRACT: Exploiting pattern formation - such as that observed in nature - in the context of micro/nanotechnology could have great benefits if coupled with the traditional top-down lithographic approach. Here, we demonstrate an original and simple method to produce unique, localized and controllable self-organised patterns on elastomeric films. A thin, brittle silica-like crust is formed on the surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using oxygen plasma. This crust is subsequently cracked via the deposition of a thin metal film - having residual tensile stress. The density of the mud-crack patterns depends on the plasma dose and on the metal thickness. The mud-crack patterning can be controlled depending on the thickness and shape of the metallization - ultimately leading to regularly spaced cracks a

SUBMITTER: Seghir R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4594096 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature