Jun 30 2015
Researchers from the University of Freiburg, Germany, have developed a new method that utilizes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for visualizing the load-induced deformations that occur at the junction between a plant’s stems and its branches. This junction, called as plant ramifications, could provide new insights towards designing new lightweight, fibre-reinforced, branched materials for a wide range of applications including architecture, aerospace, cars and bicycles.
MRI imaging enables researchers to visualize the manner in which the internal vascular tissues of a plant’s branching structures respond to stress and strain.
We wanted to assess the load-bearing capacity of the vascular tissues. Now, for the first time, we can visualize load-induced deformations non-invasively within a living plant.
Linnea Hesse, one of the researchers involved in the study
The researchers compared 3D-images of the vascular bundle arrangement in mechanically loaded and unloaded ramifications. They believe that this could help them understand the significance of tissues, such as the bundles in biomechanics, which could help advance the optimization of lightweight, fibre-reinforced and branched components.
The focus is on optimizing technical ramifications and thus product development in car, aircraft, windmill and sport device construction, as these profit from reduced weight and high load-bearing capacity.
Hesse
A large amount of preparation is required in other visualization methods that utilize µCT or histological techniques. These are invasive and also require post-processing of the images. However, these problems can be overcome by using MRI. The persons utilizing MRI would be able to non-invasively differentiate between the various plant tissues before and during the image acquisition process.
However, before this new method could be utilized fully, further research is required. The team believes that these methods could be useful for studying general plant biology, apart from plant biomechanics and biomimicry.
This study was performed by the Plant Biomechanics Group of the University of Freiburg, Germany.