Curvature controlled pattern formation in floating shells

TL;DR

This paper explores how floating shells deform and form patterns due to buckling and wrinkling, linking geometry and curvature to control surface patterning.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework connecting shell geometry and confinement to pattern formation, advancing understanding of shell instabilities on fluid substrates.

Findings

Shells buckle to accommodate excess projected area.

Structured wrinkling configurations depend on intrinsic properties.

Geometry and curvature can be used to control pattern formation.

Abstract

Shells, when confined, can deform in a broad assortment of shapes and patterns, often quite dissimilar to what is produced by their flat counterparts (plates). In this work we discuss the morphological landscape of shells deposited on a fluid substrate. Floating shells spontaneously buckle to accommodate the natural excess of projected area and, depending on their intrinsic properties, structured wrinkling configurations emerge. We examine the mechanics of these instabilities and provide a theoretical framework to link the geometry of the shell with a space-dependent confinement. Finally, we discuss the potential of harnessing geometry and intrinsic curvature as new tools for controlled fabrication of patterns on thin surfaces.