Coconuts could inspire new designs for earthquake-proof buildings

Coconuts are renowned for their hard shells, which are vital to ensure their seeds successfully germinate. But the specialised structure of coconut walls could help to design buildings that can withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.

The researchers used compression machines and an impact pendulum to investigate how coconuts disperse energy. "By analysing the fracture behaviour of the samples and combining this with knowledge about the shell's anatomy gained from microscopy and computed tomography, we aimed to identify mechanically relevant structures for energy absorption" says plant biomechanist Stefanie Schmier.