Interactive Robust and Resilient Life-Like Materials Systems Inspired by Plants for Applications in Architecture, Medical Technology and Soft Robotics

Plant tissues and organs are hierarchically organised fibre-reinforced polymeric materials consisting of polysaccharide fibres (cellulose microfibrils and fibres) embedded in a complex polymer matrix of hemicellulose, pectins and lignin. In addition to excellent mechanical properties, they often exhibit high robustness and resilience. These properties are based - in addition to various effective forms of self-repair - on various forms of damage prevention, damage control and damage management that allow these tissues and organs to function fully even after (sometimes severe) injury. The evolution of effective ways of dealing with damage is not only of high selective advantage for plants (and all other living beings), but also provides excellent concept generators for the development of robust and resilient interactive life-like materials systems of interest for application in various fields of technology and architecture.<br/>Over the last decade, the Plant Biomechanics Group Freiburg has investigated several types of plant tissues and organs for their ability to prevent, control and manage damage. Examples include pine cone scales, cactus branchings, citrus fruit peels and the stems and tendrils of climbing lianas. The structural composition and function of liana tendrils and their adhesive pads, pine cone scales and self-healing latex plants are presented to demonstrate their extreme resilience and robustness even in the face of major damage. In addition, citrus fruit peels are shown as highly efficient structures for preventing damage to the fruit's internal parts and seeds. Selected examples demonstrate how these biological systems can be used as a source of inspiration for the design of robust and resilient interactive materials systems for applications in architecture, medical technology and soft robotics. Examples include autonomous hygroscopically actuated façade shading systems inspired by the structure and function of pine cone scales and silver thistle bracts, highly shock-absorbing paddings for protective helmets inspired by citrus peels, and fail-safe technical attachment structures inspired by liana tendrils with adhesive pads.