Fast Motion of Plants through mechanical instability: Mechanics without Muscles

Plants are not well known for fast motions, yet some plants such as the Venus flytrap can move in a fraction of a second to capture insects, even though they do not have nerves or muscles. This type of rapid motion has intrigued scientists for centuries. Darwin did a first systematic study on the trap closure mechanism, and considered the plant as ``one of the most wonderful in the world". Thereafter, several physical mechanisms have been proposed, such as the rapid loss of turgor pressure, an irreversible acid-induced wall loosening mechanism, and the snap-through model by mechanical instability, but with no unanimous agreement among researchers. Here we propose a coupled mechanical bistable mechanism that explains the rapid closure of the Venus flytrap in a comprehensive manner, consistent with a series of experimental observations. Such bistabile behaviors are theoretically modeled and validated with table-top experiments. Based on the principles learnt from the Venus flytrap, we are also able to manufacture a preliminary ``flytrap robot''. Hence, it is promising to design smart bio-mimetic materials and devices with snapping mechanisms as sensors, actuators, artificial muscles and biomedical devices.