Berlin 2015 – wissenschaftliches Programm
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MM: Fachverband Metall- und Materialphysik
MM 32: Biomaterials and Biological materials I
MM 32.3: Vortrag
Mittwoch, 18. März 2015, 11:15–11:30, TC 006
Banksia - fire-triggered seed release — •Michaela Eder1, Vanessa Schoeppler1, Jessica Huss1, David Merritt2, and Peter Fratzl1 — 1MPI for Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany — 2Botanical Gardens and Park Authorities, Perth, Western Australia
After germination plants are bound to a certain location which requires functionality of the material forming the plant body. Fascinating examples can be found in extreme environments such as fire-prone areas: the woody follicles of the Australian genus Banksia encapsulate and store seeds in the plant canopy, in some cases for more than 15 years, until they are released during/after fire. This requires both long-term (dimensional) stability and the ability for seed release triggered by fire. The two valves of the follicles are connected by a zone of interdigitating cells sealed with a wax/resin. Heat causes initial opening along this zone, but opening does not seem to be controlled by the melting temperature of the wax/resin. Instead the complex micro- and ultrastructure appears to control a 2-stage opening process. After initial opening by fire, wetting and drying cycles are required for seed release. This presumably ensures optimal conditions for germination are present (ie water availability) before seed release. From a biomimetic point of view detailed knowledge about material properties of the follicles can be useful for eg the development of environmental friendly, biomimetic flame retardants, the design of dimensional stable bio-based construction materials or the development of robust fire-sensors which may function as actuators.