17 JAN 2023 BIOLOGISCHES KOLLOQUIUM Fog and dew harvesting in cactus spines

Cacti are native to the New World and show distinct adaptations that allow them to survive even in the driest deserts of the world. A characteristic feature of cacti is the formation of spines instead of leaves, which are commonly known as mechanical defence. Interestingly, some species are able to harvest fog and dew with their spines, which complements water absorption by the roots. This discovery has recently led to the development of artificial spines with bio-inspired surfaces for fog collection. However, despite these technological advances, a basic understanding of the structure and biochemistry of water harvesting cactus spines is still largely lacking. In this talk, I will explore the structure and composition of different cactus spines and clarify how these parameters affect their interactions with water.