On the role of the Plateau borders in the pattern formation occurring in thin evaporated polymer layers

The role of the Plateau borders in the patterning occurring under the rapid evaporation of polymer solutions is discussed. The capillary gradient formed along the Plateau border results in the intensive migration of bubbles towards the knots of the pattern network. A semi-quantitative model of the bubbles migration in terms of the border curvature and velocity of transport is presented. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.