Wrinkle-induced microridge patterns by global mechanical stimuli

A new method is described that uses surface wrinkling (buckling) phenomena as a means of simple micro-nanofabrication of the ordered ridges on a surface. The poly(dimethylsiloxane) elastomer surface is modified through Pt-deposition by ion sputtering. Uniaxial compressive strain induces ordered wrinkles on the surface with a characteristic length scale. The wrinkle formation includes small degree of irreversible plastic deformation. Thus, the small ridges with the ordered stripe pattern appear after unloading. The ridge patterns can be superposed to form square and triangle lattice patterns by other compression-unloading processes in different directions. The present knowledge of ridge formation may find uses for cost-effective fabrication of nanomicrostructures because the ordered wrinkle pattern, which triggers the ridges, spontaneously forms with the aid of external strain.