LAUSR

Significance Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo) seed shell is composed of tightly bonded polygonal sclereids with cell walls in which the cellulose microfibrils are oriented in a helicoidal pattern. The sclereids contain distinct pits, special fine tubes that act like a “screw fastener,” interlocking the helicoidal cell walls together. As a result, ginkgo seed shell demonstrates crack resistance in all directions, exhibiting specific fracture toughness that can rival other highly anisotropic natural structural materials, such as insect cuticle and nacre. Ginkgo seed shell shows architecture’s role in giving natural materials their often-unique properties, and provides guidelines for a new bioinspired strategy for the design of high-performance bulk materials.