Not the garden hose instability: Wavelength selection in a buckling garden hose

Synopsis

In this brief talk, I will discuss sinusoidal undulations which appear on certain garden hoses under normal use.  I’ll propose an explanation, provide a model for the phenomenon and make a connection with biological structures as well as with self-buckling. I will compare observations with model predictions, and conclude by suggesting potential applications in the area of shape-changing materials.