| Abstract Scope |
As existing composites reach their functional limits, sometimes with disruptive consequences for the Earth, engineering design needs to shift to next-generation sustainable materials and design. The project addresses these challenges by focusing on the fundamental mechanics of plant cell walls (CWs) and their interfaces, driving innovation via CW-inspired designs. CWs provide plants with the remarkable ability to structurally adapt to their changing environment, which, in the stem, balances constraints on strength, fluid flow, and thermal regulation. The work focuses on decoding these principles in the xylem CW and using them to design new composites. The experimental results guided the development of CW models to capture the thermomechanical behavior of xylem across different growth configurations. These results have led to CW-inspired design with applications in thermal management, cardiac patches, and flexible composites. The research highlights the importance of examining the cell wall to enhance functionality across engineering applications. |