Making a Mechanical Organism Being the fourth in a series of essays on the materials of nature

作     者：Julian F. V. 

作者机构：Vincent Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Bath Bath BA2 7AY UK 

出 版 物：《Journal of Bionic Engineering》 (仿生工程学报（英文版）)

年 卷 期：2006年第3卷第1期

页      面：43-58页

核心收录：

学科分类：0831[工学-生物医学工程（可授工学、理学、医学学位）] 08[工学] 0836[工学-生物工程] 

主　　题：Making a Mechanical Organism Being the fourth in a series of essays on the materials of nature 

摘      要：Most multicellular organisms can be categorised by two words： hierarchy and composite. The underlying fractal geometry of nature - at least in terms of provision of infrastructure - provides much of the hierarchy, although many materials for which infrastructure is not an integral factor are also strongly hierarchical. Plants can therefore be modelled using recursive computer programs which add structures as the size increases. However, problems with mechanical stability also increase as the structure grows, so the plant changes from deriving stiffness from intevaal pressure to cross-linking the cell wall components permanently. However, this compromises the ability of the plant to grow and repair itself.