title: Bioinspired Breathable Architecture for Water Harvesting.
abstract: Thuja plicata is a coniferous tree which displays remarkable water channelling properties. In this article, an easily fabricated mesh inspired by the hierarchical macro surface structure of Thuja plicata branchlets is described which emulates this efficient water collection behaviour. The key parameters are shown to be the pore size, pore angle, mesh rotation, tilt angle (branch droop) and layering (branch overlap). Envisaged societal applications include water harvesting and low cost breathable architecture for developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Rowan M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: von Spreckelsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wigzell
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Rebekah C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carletto
authors.affiliation: UBC Botanical Garden, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Daniel P K
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mosquin
authors.affiliation: UBC Botanical Garden, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Justice
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, England, UK.
authors.forename: Jas Pal S
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Badyal
mesh_terms: D029783:Thuja / Q000502:physiology*; D014867:Water / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014867:Water