Crumpling, buckling, and crackling: Elasticity of thin sheets

Michael Marder*, Robert D. Deegan, Eran Sharon

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Take a thin sheet of paper, plastic, or rubber. Roll, crumple, stretch, or tear it. Sometimes the sheet can spring right back to its original form, as with a roll of paper, while other times it is permanently changed, as with torn plastic. Much can be learned from such everyday acts. The subtle mathematics of differential geometry is needed to make sense of the deformed sheets, and along the way it offers insights into issues such as the shapes of flowers and the speed of earthquakes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages33-38
Number of pages6
Volume60
No2
Specialist publicationPhysics Today
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Crumpling, buckling, and crackling: Elasticity of thin sheets'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this