DURAND Kalvin, Groupe du Pr. Stevanovic, Microscope électronique à balayage JEOL JSM-840A (Suzie Coté, Microlab)

Despite the resemblance, it is neither a corncob nor a diatom, nor an insect larva, but a little-known agricultural residue: the rice husk. This resemblance is an example of convergent evolution, an evolutionary mechanism where several species independently adopt a similar morphology. This shell protects the grain from insects, bacteria and other biohazards. Its low nutritional properties, high silica concentration and rot-proof properties greatly limit its use but make it an ideal candidate for a biorefinery process to make fuel, biopolymers, or food. These SEM images provide crucial information on their morphology and susceptibility to extractions process. Each cone is an intimate mixture of lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose covered with a thin layer of silica. The bewitching beauty of nature is found even in its smallest details.

Research supervisor : Tatjana Stevanovic