Thermodynamics of the Bladderwort Feeding Strike-Suction Power from Elastic Energy Storage.

The carnivorous plant bladderwort exemplifies the use of accumulated elastic energy to power motion: respiration-driven pumps slowly load the walls of its suction traps with elastic energy (∼1 h). During a feeding strike, this energy is released suddenly to accelerate water (∼1 ms). However, due to the traps' small size and concomitant low Reynolds number, a significant fraction of the stored energy may be dissipated as viscous friction.

Crosslinking Biopolymers for Advanced Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering Applications.

A popular approach to attaining controlled drug delivery from polymer based systems involves the use of cross-linkers. In order to improve the properties of polymers specific to their applications, they can be modified by either physical cross-linkers (high pressure, irradiation) or chemical cross-linkers (glutaraldehyde, genipin). This chapter provides an insight into the different types and mechanisms of cross-linking.