Séminaire Tom Marzin

Cut, fold, deflate: the many shapes of elastic membranes

Abstract : This talk presents three studies on the role of geometry and elasticity in shaping the behavior of thin structures interacting with their environment. Inspired by kirigami, the first project investigates how introducing cuts into thin membranes immersed in a flow leads to complex three-dimensional deformations, and how these shape changes influence their interaction with the surrounding fluid. The second project, inspired by the folding of crêpes, explores how a heavy elastic membrane  can dynamically fold under its own weight, revealing how the interplay between gravity, elasticity, and inertia governs the folding dynamics and allows rapid, reversible folding without permanent creases. Finally, drawing inspiration from the whoopee cushion (prank toy), the third project examines the deflation of hyper-elastic membranes filled with air, showing how deflation time depends on membrane and system parameters, and how contact-driven compression can be used to control the release and produce soft damping responses.