Tissues create hydrostatic pressure: plants

1 of 2 Vacuoles (pink) inside plant cell / Mnolf / License

Tissues of plants generate hydrostatic pressure by injecting solutes into a confined space and allowing water to enter.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Modify physical state >
	Pressure

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Develop systems that control moving parts based on osmosis rather than electricity Actuators that work by osmosis

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Osmotic Motors: Hydraulic motors and actuators work on the basis of a change in hydrostatic pressure…plants generate hydrostatic pressure by injecting solutes into a confined space that must be surrounded by a selective membrane that retains the solutes but allows water to permeate freely into this space. Osmosis therefore requires two components: a semipermeable membrane inside to concentrate the solutes and a restraining, but elastic and expandable wall outside to prevent the compartment from bursting when water is taken up during the hydration of these solutes. The hydration of the solutes generates hydrostatic pressure inside the osmotic compartments. All plants use osmosis to pump and concentrate water-binding electrolytes and nonelectrolytes into the inside of their cells and in particular into the vacuole, a membrane-surrounded compartment specifically designed for storing solutes and water. Osmotically operating plant cells allow the build-up of internal pressures far exceeding that of car tires." (Bar-Cohen 2006:474)

About the inspiring organism

Plantae
Plantae

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Develop systems that control moving parts based on osmosis rather than electricity. Actuators that work by osmosis.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Robotics, manufacturing.

References

Yoseph Bar-Cohen. 2006. Biomimetics: biologically inspired technologies. Boca Raton, FL: CRC/Taylor & Francis. 527 p.

Tissues create hydrostatic pressure: plants

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