ArticleAdvanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)2019
The Puzzle of the Walnut Shell: A Novel Cell Type with Interlocked Packing.
Article in Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 21 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
21 citing papers in PubMed, 57 citations in OpenAlex.
- Raphia hookeri seed-inspired weakly anisotropic nanocomposites.Nature communications · 2026Article
- On the Origins of Toughness in Corymbia calophylla (Marri Tree) Nuts.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026Article
- Generative Design of 3D-Printed Biomimetic Interlocking Blocks Inspired by the Cellular 3D Puzzle Structure of the Walnut Shell.Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Genome-wide identification, transcriptome dynamics, and expression regulation of the key lignin biosynthesis gene families PAL and CAD in black walnut shell.BMC plant biology · 2025Article
- Biochar filtration of drug-resistant bacteria and active pharmaceutical ingredients to combat antimicrobial resistance.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Cell geometry regulates tissue fracture.Nature communications · 2023Article
- Article
- Fracture Resistance Biomechanisms of Walnut Shell with High-Strength and Toughening.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2023Article
- Thermal and Viscoelastic Responses of Selected Lignocellulosic Wastes: Similarities and Differences.Polymers · 2023Article
- Genomic characterization of the NAC transcription factors, directed at understanding their functions involved in endocarp lignification of iron walnut (Frontiers in genetics · 2023Article
- Ginkgo seed shell provides a unique model for bioinspired design.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2022Article
- Localized growth and remodelling drives spongy mesophyll morphogenesis.Journal of the Royal Society, Interface · 2022Article
- Biomimicking Nature-Inspired Design Structures-An Experimental and Simulation Approach Using Additive Manufacturing.Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- The walnut shell network: 3D visualisation of symplastic and apoplastic transport routes in sclerenchyma tissue.Planta · 2022Article
- Raman imaging of Micrasterias: new insights into shape formation.Protoplasma · 2021Article
- Twist and lock: nutshell structures for high strength and energy absorption.Royal Society open science · 2021Article
- A tough 3D puzzle in the walnut shell.Journal of experimental botany · 2021Article
- A belt for the cell: cellulosic wall thickenings and their role in morphogenesis of the 3D puzzle cells in walnut shells.Journal of experimental botany · 2021Article
- Functional packaging of seeds.The New phytologist · 2021Review
- From the Soft to the Hard: Changes in Microchemistry During Cell Wall Maturation of Walnut Shells.Frontiers in plant science · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
The outer protective shells of nuts can have remarkable toughness and strength, which are typically achieved by a layered arrangement of sclerenchyma cells and fibers with a polygonal form. Here, the tissue structure of walnut shells is analyzed in depth, revealing that the shells consist of a single, never reported cell type: the polylobate sclereid cells. These irregularly lobed cells with concave and convex parts are on average interlocked with 14 neighboring cells. The result is an intricate arrangement that cannot be disassembled when conceived as a 3D puzzle. Mechanical testing reveals a significantly higher ultimate tensile strength of the interlocked walnut cell tissue compared to the sclerenchyma tissue of a pine seed coat lacking the lobed cell structure. The higher strength value of the walnut shell is explained by the observation that the crack cannot simply detach intact cells but has to cut through the lobes due to the interlocking. Understanding the identified nutshell structure and its development will inspire biomimetic material design and packaging concepts. Furthermore, these unique unit cells might be of special interest for utilizing nutshells in terms of food waste valorization, considering that walnuts are the most widespread tree nuts in the world.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.