A multi-structural and multi-functional integrated fog collection system in cactus
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences · Chinese Academy of Sciences · +2 more institutions
Abstract
Multiple biological structures have demonstrated fog collection abilities, such as beetle backs with bumps and spider silks with periodic spindle-knots and joints. Many Cactaceae species live in arid environments and are extremely drought-tolerant. Here we report that one of the survival systems of the cactus Opuntia microdasys lies in its efficient fog collection system. This unique system is composed of well-distributed clusters of conical spines and trichomes on the cactus stem; each spine contains three integrated parts that have different roles in the fog collection process according to their surface structural features. The gradient of the Laplace pressure, the gradient of the surface-free energy and…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 20.22
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 37
Authors
6- JJJie JuCorresponding
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- HBHao Bai
National Center for Nanoscience and Technology
- YZYongmei Zheng
Beihang University
- TZTianyi Zhao
Beihang University
- RFRuochen Fang
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences
Topics & keywords
- Cactus
- Function (biology)
- Biology
- Environmental science
- Computer science
- Ecology
- Evolutionary biology