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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 14, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 16, 2019

Shape-changing shell-like structures.

M Pagitz¹, J Bold

¹Institute of Composite Structures and Adaptive Systems, German Aerospace Center, Lilienthalplatz 7, D-38108 Braunschweig, Germany. markus.pagitz@dlr.de

Bioinspiration & Biomimetics

|February 21, 2013

Summary

Venus Flytraps inspire new hydraulic actuators. Researchers developed shape-changing shells mimicking plant leaves, altering Gaussian curvature for novel bio-inspired engineering applications.

Area of Science:

Biomimetics and Bio-inspired Engineering
Mechanics of Materials
Plant Biology

Background:

Plants like the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) utilize hydraulic actuation in their leaves for shape change.
These natural actuators exhibit high energy efficiency and simple control mechanisms.
Previous work explored pressure-actuated cellular structures for biomimetic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel concept for shape-changing shell-like structures.
To significantly alter the Gaussian curvature of these structures.
To demonstrate a bio-inspired approach for tunable mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

Developing pressure-actuated cellular structures based on shell mechanics.
Utilizing a hemispherical shell model to demonstrate curvature changes.

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Investigating the effect of pressure changes on shell behavior, including snap-through.

Main Results:

A hemispherical shell model was designed to reversibly change the sign of its Gaussian curvature.
The study demonstrated that altering pressure in a single cell layer can induce snap-through behavior.
The proposed concept allows for significant and tunable changes in shell geometry.

Conclusions:

The developed concept offers a new pathway for creating advanced hydraulic actuators.
This approach mimics natural systems like the Venus Flytrap for engineering applications.
The ability to control Gaussian curvature opens possibilities for novel material and device design.