Discover
/
Article

Fluid Membranes Repel One Another; Solid Membranes May Not Crumple

AUG 01, 1989

A membrane that is not rigid in the plane, or has zero in‐plane shear modulus, is said to be fluid; one that does have a nonzero shear modulus in the plane is said to be solid‐like. A fluid membrane shaped, say, like a rectangle will be easily deformed when antiparallel forces are applied along two of its parallel edges. In many cases the interesting excitations, or conformations, of a fluid membrane arise from out‐of‐plane bending.

This article is only available in PDF format

Related content
/
Article
The physicist-philosopher’s work on understanding climate change is also relevant for adaptation measures in health, law, and the economy.
/
Article
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1989_08.jpeg

Volume 42, Number 8

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.