Sticky secrets: the adhesion of Peperomia fruits

Christoph Neinhuis, Lena Frenzke, Anika Röhrich, Yixin Zhang

Plants represent an amazing resource for biomimetic materials research. Preliminary investigations regarding the adhesion of Peperomia fruits to various surfaces indicated their promising chemical and mechanical properties, though the biological functions with respect to ecology remain largely elusive. We will use both biochemical and biomechanical methods as well as approaches from functional anatomy and morphology to identify the properties and chemical nature of the adhesive material deposited in cells or on the fruit surface. It will also pave the way for future design of tailored bioinspired adhesives.

Funding: Fazit Stiftung