1. Introduction to Surface Instabilities and Wrinkle Formation

In contrast to conventional patterning methodologies, the use of surface instabilities to pattern polymer surfaces does not require expensive equipment or long and multistep procedures to obtain surface microstructures. In addition, surface instabilities enable the fabrication of intricate and complex multiscale surface features which are difficult to achieve, if not impossible, using conventional patterning techniques. These advantages together with the multiple alternatives to induce surface instabilities have made of these approaches interesting alternatives to pattern polymer surfaces. This chapter briefly summarizes the most common types of surface instabilities and provides a general overview of the main characteristics of each methodology. Finally, a brief summary of the book organization, including the chapter distribution as well as the objectives, will be described.