Outstanding Toughness of Cherry Bark Achieved by Helical Spring Structure of Rigid Cellulose Fiber Combined with Flexible Layers of Lipid Polymers

Abstract

Cellulose, a main component of cell walls, generally makes materials hard and brittle. However, an ultratough, cellulosic material is found in nature: cherry bark. Surprisingly, it elongates by more than twice of its initial length and behaves as a plastic film during stretching. This amazing mechanical property is achieved by a well-designed cell wall structure; cellulose fibers are folded like helical springs, covered by multiple flexible layers of lipid polymers.

An ultratough cellulosic material is found in nature: cherry bark. Surprisingly, it elongates by more than twice of its initial length and behaves as a plastic film during stretching. This amazing mechanical property is achieved by a well-designed cell wall structure; cellulose fibers are folded like helical springs, covered by flexible layers of lipid polymers.

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