Plant self-healing under the microscope
17-year-old Johannes Reinhart from Baden-Württemberg researched the self-healing powers of leaves and fruits. He removed the wafer-thin layer of wax from ivy, orchids and other houseplants and observed the processes on the damaged leaf surface under an atomic force microscope. His images show that the protective layers vary significantly in thickness and structure depending on the plant. The time period after which the plants begin to repair also differs. His discovery was awarded the Federal Minister of Education and Research's prize for the best interdisciplinary work.