Active plant materials and structures

Michaela Eder, PhD
Group leader
Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
Web: https://www.mpikg.mpg.de/en/plant-material-adaptation

Abstract
Plant cell walls are hygroscopic composites of cellulose, hemicelluloses, pectins and often lignin. In the living plant, they are in a fully hydrated state, even though a large proportion is dead material without metabolism providing essential functions such as water transport, mechanical stability and protection against environmental challenges. The cell walls are not just passive scaffolds but can be active. They are able to generate stresses or perform environmentally triggered motions. This talk will focus on the motion capabilities of plant materials and structures and the associated environmental triggers, eg temperature and humidity.

Bio
Michaela Eder studied Wood Science and Technology at the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna. Her interest on plant cell walls started with her dissertation on “Structure, properties and functions of single wood fibres of Norway spruce”. Currently, she is leading the research group “Adaptive fibrous materials”, funded by the Excellence Cluster Matters of Activity and the Max-Planck-Institute of Colloids and Interfaces. She is also deputy director of the Max Planck Queensland Center for the Materials Science of Extracellular Matrices.