Shape of a Long Leaf (IMAGE)
Caption
Top: Shape of a plantain lily Hosta lancifola leaf showing the saddle-like shape of the mid-surface and the rippled edges. The researchers dissected the leaves of the plantain lily to show that elastic strain resulting from differential growth led to the patterns seen in real leaves. Middle: A foam ribbon that is stretched beyond the elastic limit relaxes into a saddle shape when let go. Bottom: With a four-fold increase of strain, ripples will form along the edges of the foam ribbon, producing a series of small undulating waves.
Credit
Haiyi Liang and L. Mahadevan, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
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