Elastic instabilities,microstructure transformations,and pattern formations in soft materials

Large deformations of soft materials can give rise to the development of various elastic instabilities. The phenomenon is associated with a sudden and dramatic change in structure morphologies. The underlying mechanism is crucial for the formation of complex morphologies in biology. Moreover, the concept of instability-induced pattern transformations is promising for designing novel materials with switchable functions and properties. In this paper, we review the state of the art in elastic instability phenomena in soft materials. We start by considering the classical buckling in beam-based structure lattice designs. Then, we discuss the instability-induced microstructure transformations in soft porous materials, and heterogeneous multiphase and fiber composites. Next, the mechanisms – often involving the post-buckling consideration – leading to the wrinkling and folding, creasing, fringe, and fingering are discussed.