The Ohio State University

Abstract:
On plant surfaces a great diversity of hydrophobic micro- and nanostructures exist. These structures are built up by crystalline and self-assembled waxes. Depending on their chemistry and especially microstructure, they are responsible for various functions of the surface. Important functions are the maintenance of the wettability and self-cleaning properties (Lotus-Effect), preventing of insect attachment, light reflecting, etc. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterise the structures. The talk gives a broad overview about the structural diversity of multifunctional plants surfaces.

Bio:
Dr. Kerstin Koch is a professor of Botany at the Rheiniche Friedrich Wilhelms-University of Bonn, Germany. She finished her Habilitation in Botany at Bonn University in 2007 and is Assistant Professor at the Nees Institute of Biodiversity of Plants at Bonn University.  She is currently on sabbatical at NLIM under a scholarship of the Bonn University. Her research interests include SEM and AFM analysis of plant surface structures. 

Hosted by Professor Bharat Bhusan, 292-0651, bhusan.2@osu.edu in Scott Lab, Room E001
For information on ME 888 seminars contact Professor Walter Lempert at 292-2736 or lempert.1@osu.edu.