Ridge energy for thin nematic polymer networks

Abstract Minimizing the elastic free energy of a thin sheet nematic polymer network among smooth isometric immersions is strategy purported by mainstream theory. In this paper, we broaden class admissible spontaneous deformations: consider ridged immersions, which can cause sharp ridge in immersed surfaces. We propose model to compute extra distributed along such ridges. This comes from bending; it shown under what circumstances scales quadratically with sheet’s thickness, falling just between stretching and bending energies. put our theory test studying deformation disk on radial hedgehog was imprinted at time crosslinking. predict number folds that develop terms degree order induced material external agents (such as heat illumination). Graphic