Drying-Induced Deformation in Fiber-Embedded Gels to Mimic Plant Nastic Movements

Pinecone scales and seedpod valves can deform in response to environmental humidity change, which is categorized as nastic movements. In this article, inspired by their tissue structure, we use fiber-embedded gels to model the nastic movements of pinecone scales and seedpod valves. In the model, stiffer and less swellable fibers orient inhomogeneously in the gel matrix. Depending on the arrangement of fibers, the gel matrix may bend or twist when it shrinks, caused by the decrease of environmental humidity. Our simulations demonstrate the possibilities of achieving different deformation modes in fiber-embedded gels through initially specified fiber arrangements. The numerical modeling methods presented in the article may find their applications in biomimetic designs with responsive gels.