Plants as concept generators for biomimetic self-healing and self-adaptive materials, structures and surfaces

Plants have inspired the development of numerous novel (self-)adaptive and selfhealing materials, structures and surfaces over the last decade. Examples include: (1) self-repairing elastomers for sealing gaskets and dampers inspired by self-healing processes in latex bearing plants, (2) self-adaptive biomimetic attachment systems inspired by permanent attachment organs of plants, (3) adaptive biomimetic antiadhesion surfaces inspired by leaf surfaces, and (4) (self-)adaptive elastic façade shading systems inspired by the bird of paradise flower