Ontogenetic reconstruction of the Carboniferous seed plant Lyginopteris oldhamia

Two developmental trajectories are hypothesized for growth of the aerial stem and branch system in Lyginopteris oldhamia. They include (1) a determinate single-phase model, where the primary body decreases in size along the main stem or branches toward the apex, and (2) a less determinate two- or three-phase model, where the primary body of stems and branches increases in size (epidogenesis), possibly maintaining a relatively constant maximal size (menetogenesis), and then diminishes in size (apoxogenesis) toward the apex. Developmental patterns of primary tissues (pith, primary xylem, inner and outer cortex) and secondary tissues (periderm and products of the bifacial vascular cambium, including wood and secondary phloem) are investigated within the context of each model. Primary tissues of inner and outer cortex as well as peridermal tissue initiated in the mid inner cortex show significant changes in response to growth of the bifacial vascular cambium. Patterns of development in both primary and secondary tissues indicate an overall development more consistent with epidogenetic, menetogenetic, and apoxogenetic phases of development. Evidence of epidogenesis is indicated by the presence of small primary bodies with (1) high levels of vascular cambial development and periderm and (2) high levels of compensatory enlargement of the outer primary cortex via tangential and radial deformation in addition to cellular proliferation. Following expansion of the wood cylinder, the outer primary cortex shows extended structural integrity and possible "self-repair" during extreme straining of the outer cortex. Final development involves sloughing of the entire primary cortex and establishment of an entire layer of periderm enclosing the secondary phloem and wood

Plants as concept generators for biomimetic self-healing and self-adaptive materials, structures and surfaces

Plants have inspired the development of numerous novel (self-)adaptive and selfhealing materials, structures and surfaces over the last decade. Examples include: (1) self-repairing elastomers for sealing gaskets and dampers inspired by self-healing processes in latex bearing plants, (2) self-adaptive biomimetic attachment systems inspired by permanent attachment organs of plants, (3) adaptive biomimetic antiadhesion surfaces inspired by leaf surfaces, and (4) (self-)adaptive elastic façade shading systems inspired by the bird of paradise flower

Biomimetic optimisation of branched fibre-reinforced composites in engineering by detailed analyses of biological concept generators

The aim of this study is the biomimetic optimisation of branched fibre-reinforced composites based on the detailed analysis of biological concept generators. The methods include analyses of the functional morphology and biomechanics of arborescent monocotyledons and columnar cacti as well as measurements and modelling of mechanical properties of biomimetic fibre-reinforced composites. The key results show evidence of notch stress reduction by optimised stem-branch-attachment morphology in monocotyledons and columnar cacti. It could be shown that some of these highly interesting properties can be transferred into biomimetic fibre-reinforced composites.German Research Foundation (DFG) [SPP 1420