An Instrumentation-based Experimental Study on Biomechanical Property of Plant Tendril – A Probable Application in Bioinspired Technology

Abstract Plant tendrils are specialized spring-like coiled structures found in climber plants that provide them support and strength. The pattern of coiling includes both, clockwise and anticlockwise helix. Due to its characteristic spring-like structure, identification of its mechanical strength is considered to be an important area of research, in recent times. A few works have focused on studying the tensile strength and other mechanical properties of plant tendrils in controlled conditions. However, because tendrils are relatively soft-tissue structures, proper mounting of tendrils for use in biomechanical experimentation remains a challenging area of research. In view of this, in the present study, a specialized Tendril Strain Quantification instrument, based on principles of Hook’s Law was developed indigenously, to study the biomechanical property of plant tendrils. The mechanical property of the tendrils was quantitatively studied in terms of mechanical strain, which is the relative lengthwise deformation in structure, compared to a reference positional configuration following an applied load. From the study it was found that tendrils with both clockwise and anticlockwise coiling (bi-directionally helical) exhibited better mechanical strength in comparison to single coiled tendrils. Thus, the study indicated that tendrils with bidirectional coiling act as better springs in comparison to that of single coiled tendrils. The findings may be used in future, for development of bioinspired technology based on plant tendrils. Keywords: Hook’s Law, Tendrils, Mechanical Strength, Bioinspired technology