Fluidization in Growth-Induced Morphogenesis

Min Wu

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arXiv · 2609.05858

Fluidization in Growth-Induced Morphogenesis

Min Wu

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Abstract

Elastic buckling has explained shape formation in growing tissues, yet the role of tissue fluidity remains elusive. We derive a minimal fluidized growth-elasticity model as a nonlinear analogue of Maxwell rheology. Analysis of a growing strip reveals a different picture of growth-induced morphogenesis: rather than emerging at a critical stress, symmetry breaking develops continuously during growth. Fluidity regulates stress evolution, the rate of shape-symmetry breaking, and flow patterns, establishing it as an active regulator of morphogenesis beyond its intuitive role in stress relaxation.

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Min Wu. 2026-09-17. Fluidization in Growth-Induced Morphogenesis. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.05858

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