A first-ever study on the principles behind the architecture of spikes, stings, and needles in both plants and animals were discussed in a new study by researchers at DTU Physics. They claim that the principles they discovered could be used when developing new tools and medical apparatus.
Curiosity sparked among the researches as they repeatedly experienced having their glass pipettes broken in experiments when extracting liquid from plant cells. The annoying outcome led to a brand new study as they became interested in what type of comparable naturally pointed objects do not easily break when used.
The coverage of their study was comprehensive and included pointed parts of plants or animals used for very different purposes. Their uses varied from being able to stick to a surface, for self-defense, or as a means for ingesting nourishment.
The study included a wide variety of pointed matter such as thorns on cacti and nettles, stings of bees, spines of algae and hedgehogs, and many more. The researchers collected input from more than 200 species, ranging from small points to big points, such as a narwhal's 2.5-meter pointed tusk. Additionally, they also constituted human-made designs in their study, including nails, syringes, and weapons.
The study's findings have been published in the scientific journal Nature Physics on June 15, 2020.
Strength and Elasticity in Pointed Objects
The vast collection of objects allowed the researchers to identify how nature's pointy forms are devised to be both strong enough and hard. The objects were observed to easily penetrate skin, for instance, and hard enough so that its tip does not collapse when coming into contact with the skin.
According to Kaare Hartvig Jensen, one of the authors, their study demonstrated a clear connection between the length and diameter of the sting or point, both at the point where it attaches to the plant or animal and its tip. With their findings, he says both the essential strength and elasticity of the tip can be assured, no matter which animal or plant possesses the point.
Moreover, he says it is apparent that nature's pointy utensils are on the tip of what is physically possible. Regardless of the size of the points, he says the designs are pretty much similar.
Designing the Points of the Future
With their findings, the researchers are confident that the new awareness of how to calculate the maximal design of a pointed object can be used in future designs. They say it could be applied in manufacturing medical supplies such as syringes.
They also say their study's findings could be applied in making items for construction, such as nails. The new knowledge could enable the reduction of material expenditure without taking its stability and quality for granted.
Amusingly, the researchers say they have also used their findings to redesign their own glass pipettes, which caused them to initiate the study in the first place. They say that with their newly gained knowledge and having applied it, they would not anymore experience the same problem of having their glass pipettes broken again.
