Journal Article

PUBDB-2025-04533

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Beyond the bilayer: multilayered hygroscopic actuation in pine cone scales

Ulrich, K. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Mylo, M. D. ; Masselter, T.Extern* ; Scheckenbach, F.Extern* ; Fischerbauer, S. ; Nopens, M.Extern* ; Flenner, S.Extern*HZG*Hereon* ; Greving, I.HZG*Hereon* ; Hesse, L.Extern* ; Speck, T.

2025
Beilstein-Institut zur Förderung der Chemischen Wissenschaften Frankfurt, M.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.119  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2025-04533

Abstract: The anisotropic hygroscopic behavior of pine cone scales and its effect on bending motion, with implications for bioinspired actuation, is investigated. Using gravimetric water uptake measurements, synchrotron radiation-based nano-holotomography, and digital volume correlation analysis, inter- and intra-tissue variations of hygroscopic swelling/shrinkage were observed. In addition, the moisture content of pine cone scale tissues was measured as a function of relative humidity. There were distinct differences between tissues and a pronounced hysteresis between sorption and desorption. Finite element analysis was performed on geometries ranging from simplified bilayer models to complex remodeled scales. Simulation results showed an underestimation of the bending of bilayer geometries due to an overestimated contribution of sclerenchyma fiber stiffness. Geometries with discrete fibers embedded in a brown tissue matrix more accurately reproduced the bending angles observed in experiments. This highlights the importance of the chosen material properties and tissue arrangements for predicting pine cone scale bending in silico. By contributing to a deeper understanding of pine cone scale biomechanics, these results also support the development of bioinspired technical applications. Future studies should refine tissue mechanical properties and integrate high-resolution computed tomography-based geometries to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying hygroscopic actuation. This integrative approach will bridge experimental findings with computational modeling and advance plant biomechanics and biomimetic transfer.

Note: (DFG, German Research Foundation) [HE 9048/1-1] and DESY for support. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) through the Cluster of Excellence EXC3120 BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DOOR-User (DOOR ; HAS-User)
2. Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Hereon)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)390951807 - EXC 2193: Lebende, adaptive und energieautonome Materialsysteme (livMatS) (390951807) (390951807)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P05 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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