Creating a crease

Collective instabilities in fibrous systems

A FIBRE is an elongated object: compressed along its axis, it can bend suddenly, an instability known as buckling. Intriguingly, a collection of fibres can also become unstable when compressed: they form a crease (fig. b).

CREASES are well-known in soft incompressible materials (fig. a) – but why do they form in such an apparently different system? To answer the question, we need to understand how fibre assemblies deform.

Techniques/methods in use: 2D and 3D imaging in situ at different lengthscales (optical, confocal microscopy…), image analysis, image correlation, modelling (optional).

Applicant skills:  scientific curiosity.

Industrial partnership: Saint-Gobain Research Paris, which develops sustainable glass wools for thermal & acoustic management.

Internship supervisor(s): Etienne Barthel (etienne.barthel@espci.fr), Flora-Maud Le Menn (Flora-Maud.LeMenn@saint-gobain.com).

Other details: in collaboration with C. Picu, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA.