Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness
In recent years, the biomimetic potential of lignified or partially lignified fruit pericarps has moved into focus. For the transfer of functional principles into biomimetic applications, a profound understanding of the structural composition of the role models is important. The aim of this study wa...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Molecules |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/1/223 |
| _version_ | 1828529727019679744 |
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| author | Stefanie Schmier Naoe Hosoda Thomas Speck |
| author_facet | Stefanie Schmier Naoe Hosoda Thomas Speck |
| author_sort | Stefanie Schmier |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, the biomimetic potential of lignified or partially lignified fruit pericarps has moved into focus. For the transfer of functional principles into biomimetic applications, a profound understanding of the structural composition of the role models is important. The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze and visualize the functional morphology of the coconut endocarp on several hierarchical levels, and to use these findings for a more precise evaluation of the toughening mechanisms in the endocarp. Eight hierarchical levels of the ripe coconut fruit were identified using different imaging techniques, including light and scanning electron microscopy as well as micro-computer-tomography. These range from the organ level of the fruit (H0) to the molecular composition (H7) of the endocarp components. A special focus was laid on the hierarchical levels of the endocarp (H3−H6). This investigation confirmed that all hierarchical levels influence the crack development in different ways and thus contribute to the pronounced fracture toughness of the coconut endocarp. By providing relevant morphological parameters at each hierarchical level with the associated toughening mechanisms, this lays the basis for transferring those properties into biomimetic technical applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:12:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ac7c7d7dd46b4acc87b82cdec5d947f2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1420-3049 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T22:12:59Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Molecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-ac7c7d7dd46b4acc87b82cdec5d947f22022-12-22T00:48:43ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492020-01-0125122310.3390/molecules25010223molecules25010223Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture ToughnessStefanie Schmier0Naoe Hosoda1Thomas Speck2Germany and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, D-79110 Freiburg, GermanyNational Institute for Materials Science, Namiki, Tsukuba 305-0044 1-1, JapanGermany and Freiburg Center for Interactive Materials and Bioinspired Technologies (FIT), Georges-Köhler-Allee 105, D-79110 Freiburg, GermanyIn recent years, the biomimetic potential of lignified or partially lignified fruit pericarps has moved into focus. For the transfer of functional principles into biomimetic applications, a profound understanding of the structural composition of the role models is important. The aim of this study was to qualitatively analyze and visualize the functional morphology of the coconut endocarp on several hierarchical levels, and to use these findings for a more precise evaluation of the toughening mechanisms in the endocarp. Eight hierarchical levels of the ripe coconut fruit were identified using different imaging techniques, including light and scanning electron microscopy as well as micro-computer-tomography. These range from the organ level of the fruit (H0) to the molecular composition (H7) of the endocarp components. A special focus was laid on the hierarchical levels of the endocarp (H3−H6). This investigation confirmed that all hierarchical levels influence the crack development in different ways and thus contribute to the pronounced fracture toughness of the coconut endocarp. By providing relevant morphological parameters at each hierarchical level with the associated toughening mechanisms, this lays the basis for transferring those properties into biomimetic technical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/1/223<i>cocos nucifera</i>coconut endocarphierarchical structurefunctional morphologyfracture toughening mechanisms |
| spellingShingle | Stefanie Schmier Naoe Hosoda Thomas Speck Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness Molecules <i>cocos nucifera</i> coconut endocarp hierarchical structure functional morphology fracture toughening mechanisms |
| title | Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness |
| title_full | Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness |
| title_fullStr | Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness |
| title_short | Hierarchical Structure of the <i>Cocos nucifera</i> (Coconut) Endocarp: Functional Morphology and its Influence on Fracture Toughness |
| title_sort | hierarchical structure of the i cocos nucifera i coconut endocarp functional morphology and its influence on fracture toughness |
| topic | <i>cocos nucifera</i> coconut endocarp hierarchical structure functional morphology fracture toughening mechanisms |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/1/223 |
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