Capillary induced self-assembly of thin foils into 3Dstructures

Journal Article · 29 September 2010 · Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2010.09.011 · OSTI ID:1875084

Li, Huan ^[1]; Guo, Xiaoying ^[2]; Nuzzo, Ralph G. ^[2]; Hsia, K. Jimmy ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States); University of Illinois
2. Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)

Self-assembly of complex structures is common in nature. Self-assembly principles provide a promising way to fabricate three-dimensional, micro- or millimeter scale devices. In the present paper, we present a generalized analytical study of the self-folding of thin plates into deterministic 3D shapes through fluid–solid interactions. Based on the beam theory, a mechanics model is developed, incorporating the two competing components—a capillary force promoting folding and the bending rigidity of the foil that resists folding into a 3D structure. Through an equivalence argument of thin foils of different geometry, an effective folding parameter, which uniquely characterizes the driving force for folding, has been identified. A criterion for spontaneous folding of any shaped 2D patterned foil based on the effective folding parameter is thus established. Furthermore, the model predictions show excellent agreement with experimental measurements made on a variety of materials, indicating that the assumptions used in the analysis arevalid.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: NSF; USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division
• Grant/Contract Number: FG02-07ER46471
• OSTI ID: 1875084
• Journal Information: Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Journal Name: Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 58; ISSN 0022-5096
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English