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New Paper: The Structural and Mechanical Basis for Passive-Hydraulic Pine Cone Actuation

A paper from recent CPI graduate, Carmen Eger, was just published in Advanced Science. Eger’s paper entitled The Structural and Mechanical Basis for Passive-Hydraulic Pine Cone Actuation takes a deeper investigation into the exact mechanisms which trigger the opening and closing function of the pinecone.

Pinecones, like many examples in nature, display an interesting reproductive behavior. In dry- and favorable conditions- pinecone scales open to help spread their seeds far and wide. Conversely, in wet conditions, a pinecone closes to preserve the seeds.

Eger’s paper aims to gain a better understanding of this opening and closing function. More precisely put, it examines the mechanical and hydraulic properties of each structural component of the scale to get a holistic picture of the functional interplay of these properties.


Ultimately the paper offers a detailed model to help display how the opening and closing functions of the pinecone scales on a mechanistic level.  

With a better understanding of this opening and closing function, this adaptive behavior can serve as inspiration for adaptive materials.

 

eger pinecone

 

To read the full open access version, click here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.202200458

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