This research looks at ways to control the crack patterning and fiber formation of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) thin films. Four aspects of control were looked at, those being, substrate shape, cooling method, substrate dimension, and notching.  These controlling methods yielded interesting results.  We found that crack patterns and fiber formation depends on substrate shape, but the substrate’s dimension only impacted the fiber growth, while having no affect on the crack patterns in the film.  We learned that by using a gradient to cool the substrate, we can control where and when the cracks form in the film and also control the direction of delamination and fiber growth.  Lastly, we saw no affect in the crack pattern or fiber growth in the film when notches were present unless the notch went completely through the glass substrate.  Future work will focus on understanding control better to be able to control crack and fiber patterning, where on the substrate fibers and cracks form, and the dimension of the fibers.

Controlling crack patterns and ultra-high aspect ratio ribbons in polydimethylsiloxane thin films

251st National Meeting (2016)

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