Structures optimize material use: plants

Plants maximize strength while reducing materials by incorporating tetrahedral elements that can be stacked in hexagonal containers.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Modify >
	Adapt/optimize >
	Optimize space/materials

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Efficient packaging Crash protection for helmets, vehicles

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Nature has provided many packaging methods to protect plants and animals against physical impact. The design often uses a minimum of material while offering a maximum of usable space. Tetrahedral elements which can be stacked in hexagonal containers without any waste of space are frequently found in plants." (Tributsch 1984:22)

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: Efficient packaging. Helmets or vehicles that provide crash protection with low weight.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, transportation

References

Tributsch, H. 1984. How life learned to live. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. 218 p.

Structures optimize material use: plants

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