Engineers design 'tree-on-a-chip': Microfluidic device generates passive hydraulic power
Monday, March 20, 2017 - 13:01
in Earth & Climate
Trees and other plants, from towering redwoods to diminutive daisies, are nature's hydraulic pumps. They are constantly pulling water up from their roots to the topmost leaves, and pumping sugars produced by their leaves back down to the roots. This constant stream of nutrients is shuttled through a system of tissues called xylem and phloem, which are packed together in woody, parallel conduits.