On elastocapillarity: A review

Elastocapillary phenomena involving elastic deformation of solid structures coupled with capillary effects of liquid droplets/films can be observed in a diversity of fields, e.g., biology and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Understanding the physical mechanisms underlying these phenomena is of great interest for the design of new materials and devices by utilizing the effects of surface tension at micro and nano scales. In this paper, some recent developments in the investigations on elastocapillary phenomena are briefly reviewed. Especially, we consider the deformation, adhesion, self-assembly, buckling and wrinkling of materials and devices induced by surface tensions or capillary forces. The main attention is paid to the experimental results of these phenomena and the theoretical analysis methods based on continuum mechanics. Additionally, the applications of these studies in the fields of MEMS, micro/nanometrology, and biomimetic design of advanced materials and devices are discussed.