Loss of stability of a loaded configuration toward a bent or folded form. The threshold and deformation mode depend on geometry, material properties and boundary conditions.
A flat, unsupported film's bending and tension energies give modal stiffness . Negative tension represents compression, destabilizing sufficiently long waves. A finite sheet restricts allowed wave numbers, while a supporting foundation adds stiffness and can select a wrinkle wavelength. This is generic continuum mechanics, independent of biological membrane structure.
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Buckling is a structural failure mode that occurs when a structural member (such as a beam or column) deflects or deforms significantly under compressive loads, leading to a sudden change in shape and potentially resulting in a collapse. It is particularly critical for slender structural elements, where the length of the member is much greater than its cross-sectional dimensions.