New Research Group »Adaptive Fibrous Materials«

The MoA research group »Adaptive Fibrous Materials« is interested in interactions between a biological material and its environment. The fact that plants are sessile make them particularly interesting regarding their adaptability and optimization strategies – there is no way for them to escape. Remodeling processes, such as those found in the animal kingdom, are absent and adaptation takes place by growth. Interestingly, a large proportion of the newly formed cells dies after a short period of time in order to take over the function of a water transporting- or mechanical supporting element. Over time the properties and functions of these dead cells can change; but at any time they depend on the temperature and humidity of the environment. This requires an intrinsic activity of the material. Prominent examples are wood swelling and shrinkage and seed capsule opening or seed dispersal, which becomes active upon an environmental trigger.

Their work is not restricted to plants, other fibrous materials such as the nests of African wild silk moths are studied in the group.

The group works towards a deep understanding of material activity, adaptation- and optimization strategies and explore material properties under consideration of developmental stages (growth) and the environmental conditions in the field or in the lab. The results provide information about functions of the organism and hints how changing environmental conditions affect the organism. Furthermore, they provide fundamental knowledge for usage and applications of biogenic materials and extracted material concepts can serve as inspiration for biomimetic applications.
We combine materials science tools at various length scales and design experiments in our hands-on work. Interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues from the social sciences, architects and designers allow a comprehensive consideration and discussion of our research topics.

The junior research group is jointly funded by »Matters of Activity« and the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Surfaces (MPIKG) and is led by Michaela Eder.

Part of the new research group »Adaptive Fibrous Materials« are Charlett Wenig and Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten, who were just awarded 2nd Place at the idea competition of »Die Junge Akademie« for »The Bark Project« and their work researching new concepts for biomaterials as part of team member Charlett Wenig's doctoral thesis. Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten and Charlett Wenig have established that, as a waste product, tree bark has largely gone unused in the wood industry. But the possibilities offered by resource recovery are many, spanning from processing to natural dyes and from varnishes to textile fibers. »The Bark Project« inspired the jury by connecting basic scientific research on the material and chemical composition of tree bark with a strong aesthetic vision of sustainable textiles.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) has already reported on »The Bark Project«. The article with the title »Rinde zum Anziehen« (Bark to wear) can be read here: https://www.sueddeutsche.de/wissen/baumrinde-jacke-stoff-1.5035535. The project was also just featured in the »ARD Morgenmagazin«. The feature as well as more information on the research group at MPIKG can be found here: https://www.mpikg.mpg.de/plant-material-adaptation