Experimental Soft Condensed Matter Group Harvard University, Prof. D. A. Weitz Cool Picture of the Moment

Flows in plants : biophysics and biomimetics.

Right : SEM image of bordered pits separating vessel elements in a tree, the sap flows through the thin pit membrane. We are studying this membrane using an AFM (porosity, physical properties); it is about 8 microns in diameter and made of different polysaccharides microfibrils (Left image)." 

One of our goal is to study this particular structure but also to mimic it, using microfabrication techniques. 

In the same idea, an other project concerns water flows in leaves.

For more information contact Xavier Noblin.

Past cool pictures...