Dr. Olga Speck

Projects within livMatS

• The mistletoe-host interface as model for long-term integrity by damage prevention and repair
• Abscission and self-repair in biological and artificial materials systems
• Training and self-healing by interface snapping mechanisms
• livMatS as part of and reaction to the Anthropocene: Sustainability assessement and investigation of psychological and philosophical implications of living materials systems
• Twist-to-bend ratios of petioles and transition zones with different shapes and tapering modes (compact project 2020)
  
  

Completed Doctoral Researchers (first supervisor)

• Dr. Max Langer
• Dr. Max Mylo
  
  

Publications in livMatS

• Challenging the Biomimetic Promise—Do Laypersons Perceive Biomimetic Buildings as More Sustainable and More Acceptable?*
  Gorki, M., Speck, O., Möller, M., Fenn, J., Estadieu, L., Menges, A., Schiller, M., Speck, T., & Kiesel, A. (2025). Challenging the Biomimetic Promise—Do Laypersons Perceive Biomimetic Buildings as More Sustainable and More Acceptable? Biomimetics, 10(2), Article 2. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics10020086
• Tiered Approach for Prospective Sustainability Assessment of New Technologies to Assess Benefits and Challenges (TAPAS)*
  Möller, M., Speck, O., & Speck, T. (2025). Tiered Approach for Prospective Sustainability Assessment of New Technologies to Assess Benefits and Challenges (TAPAS). In K. Dröder & T. Vietor (Eds.), Circularity Days 2024 Springer Fachmedien, 110–119. doi: 10.1007/978-3-658-45889-8_9
• Modeling abscission of cacti branches*
  Striet, L., Mylo, M. D., Speck, O., & Dondl, P. W. (2025). Modeling abscission of cacti branches. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 196, 105965. doi: 10.1016/j.jmps.2024.105965
• Bioinspired and bio-based living materials systems*
  Speck, T., Tauber, F., Speck, O., & Scherag, F. D. (2024). Editorial: Bioinspired and Bio-based living Materials Systems. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 20(1): 010202. doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/ad9370
• Sustainability assessments inspired by biological concepts*
  Möller, M., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2024). Sustainability assessments inspired by biological concepts. Technology in Society, 78, 102630. doi: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2024.102630
• Bio-Inspired Pressure-Dependent Programmable Mechanical Metamaterial with Self-Sealing Ability*
  Ghavidelnia, N., Slesarenko, V., Speck, O., Eberl, C. (2024). Bio-Inspired Pressure-Dependent Programmable Mechanical Metamaterial with Self-Sealing Ability. Advanced Materials, 2313125. doi: 10.1002/adma.202313125
• The Basics of Evolution Strategies: The Implementation of the Biomimetic Optimization Method in Educational Modules*
  Speck, O., Speck, T., Baur, S., & Herdy, M. (2024). The Basics of Evolution Strategies: The Implementation of the Biomimetic Optimization Method in Educational Modules. Biomimetics, 9(7), 439. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics9070439
• Is a Forest Fire a Natural Disaster? Investigating the Fire Tolerance of Various Tree Species—An Educational Module*
  Speck, O., Speck, T. (2024): Is a Forest Fire a Natural Disaster? Investigating the Fire Tolerance of Various Tree Species—An Educational Module. Biomimetics 2024, 9(2): 114. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics9020114
• Flow charts as a method to transfer self-sealing from plant models into programmable materials and related challenges*
  Cao, B., Ghavidelnia, N., Speck, O., & Eberl, C. (2023). Flow charts as a method to transfer self-sealing from plant models into programmable materials and related challenges. Programmable Materials, 1, e12. doi: 10.1017/pma.2023.11
• Biomimetics in Botanical Gardens—Educational Trails and Guided Tours*
  Speck, O., Speck, T. (2023). Biomimetics in Botanical Gardens—Educational Trails and Guided Tours. Biomimetics, 8(3), 303. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics8030303
• Editorial: Damage control of plants—from the molecule to the entire plant*
  Speck, O., Taylor, D., and Speck, T. (2023). Editorial: Damage control of plants—from the molecule to the entire plant. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14:1181342. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1181342
• Longevity of System Functions in Biology and Biomimetics: A Matter of Robustness and Resilience*
  Mylo, M.D., Speck, O. (2023): Longevity of System Functions in Biology and Biomimetics: A Matter of Robustness and Resilience. Biomimetics 8(2): 173. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics8020173
• Conjoining Trees for the Provision of Living Architecture in Future Cities: A Long-Term Inosculation Study*
  Mylo, M. D., Ludwig, F., Rahman, M. A., Shu, Q., Fleckenstein, C., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2023). Conjoining Trees for the Provision of Living Architecture in Future Cities: A Long-Term Inosculation Study. Plants, 12(6), 1385. doi: 10.3390/plants12061385
• Plants as inspiration for material-based sensing and actuation in soft robots and machines*
  Speck, T., Cheng, T., Klimm, F., Menges, A., Poppinga, S., Speck, O., Tahouni, Y., Tauber, F. & Thielen, M. (2023) Plants as inspiration for material-based sensing and actuation in soft robots and machines. MRS Bulletin 48,730 – 745. doi: 10.1557/s43577-022-00470-8
• Learning from Self-Sealing Deformations of Plant Leaves: The Biomimetic Multilayer Actuator*
  Becker, J., Speck, O., Speck, T., Müller, C. (2022). Learning from self-sealing deformations of plant leaves: the biomimetic multilayer actuator. Advanced Intelligent System, 2200215. doi: 10.1002/aisy.202200215
• Elastic property and fracture mechanics of lateral branch-branch junctions in cacti: A case study of Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii*
  Mylo, M. D., Hoppe, A., Pastewka, L., Speck, T., & Speck, O. Elastic properties and fracture mechanics of lateral branch-branch junctions in cacti: a case study of Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2947. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2022.950860
• Biological Concepts as a Source of Inspiration for Efficiency, Consistency, and Sufficiency*
  Speck, O., Möller, M., Grießhammer, R., Speck, T. (2022). Biological concepts as a source of inspiration for efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency. Sustainability, 14: 8892. doi: 10.3390/su14148892
• Charting the twist-to-bend ratio of plant axes*
  Wolff-Vorbeck, S., Speck, O., Langer, M., Speck, T., & Dondl, P. W. (2022). Charting the twist-to-bend ratio of plant axes. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 19(191), 20220131. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0131
• Biomechanics of the parasite–host interaction of the European mistletoe*
  Mylo, M. D., Hoffmann, M., Balle, F., Beisel, S., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2022). Biomechanics of the parasite–host interaction of the European mistletoe. Journal of Experimental Botany, 73(4): 1204 – 1221. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab518 (Special issue “Mechanical Ecology - Taking Biomechanics to the Field”)
• Acclimation to wind loads and/or contact stimuli? A biomechanical study of peltate leaves of Pilea peperomioides*
  Langer, M., Hegge, E., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2022). Acclimation to wind loads and/or contact stimuli? A biomechanical study of peltate leaves of Pilea peperomioides. Journal of Experimental Botany, 73(4): 1236 – 1252. doi: 10.1093/jxb/erab541 (Special issue “Mechanical Ecology - Taking Biomechanics to the Field”)
• Twist-to-Bend Ratios and Safety Factors of Petioles Having Various Geometries, Sizes and Shapes*
  Langer, M., Kelbel, M. C., Speck, T., Müller, C., & Speck, O. (2021) Twist-to-bend ratios and safety factors of petioles having various geometries, sizes and shapes. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2586. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.765605
• Influence of structural reinforcements on the twist-to-bend ratio of plant axes: a case study on Carex pendula*
  Wolff-Vorbeck, S., Speck, O., Speck, T., & Dondl, P. W. (2021). Influence of structural reinforcements on the twist-to-bend ratio of plant axes: a case study on Carex pendula. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1-14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00569-z
• Morphology and Anatomy of Branch–Branch Junctions in Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii: A Comparative Study Supported by Mechanical Tissue Quantification*
  Mylo, M. D., Hesse, L., Masselter, T., Leupold, J., Drozella, K., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2021). Morphology and Anatomy of Branch–Branch Junctions in Opuntia ficus-indica and Cylindropuntia bigelovii: A Comparative Study Supported by Mechanical Tissue Quantification. Plants, 10(11), 2313. doi: 10.3390/plants10112313
• Bridging the Gap: From Biomechanics and Functional Morphology of Plants to Biomimetic Developments*
  Speck, O., & Speck, T. (2021). Bridging the Gap: From Biomechanics and Functional Morphology of Plants to Biomimetic Developments. Biomimetics. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics6040060
• Bio-inspired life-like motile materials systems: Changing the boundaries between living and technical systems in the Anthropocene*
  Speck, T., Poppinga, S., Speck, O., & Tauber, F. (2021). Bio-inspired life-like motile materials systems: Changing the boundaries between living and technical systems in the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene Review, 20530196211039275. doi: 10.1177/20530196211039275
• Advances on the Visualization of the Internal Structures of the European Mistletoe: 3D Reconstruction Using Microtomography*
  Mylo, M. D., Hofmann, M., Delp, A., Scholz, R., Walther, F., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2021). Advances on the visualization of the internal structures of the European mistletoe: 3D reconstruction using microtomography. Frontiers in Plant Science, 2085. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.715711
• Biomimetics and Education in Europe: Challenge, Opportunity and Variety*
  Speck, O., Speck, T. (2021): Biomimetics and Education in Europe: Challenge, Opportunity and Variety. Biomimetics, 6(3): 49; Special Issue "Biomimetic Process and Pedagogy". doi: 10.3390/biomimetics6030049
  Editor's Choice
• Self-Actuated Paper and Wood Models: Low-Cost Handcrafted Biomimetic Compliant Systems for Research and Teaching*
  Poppinga, S., Schenck, P., Speck, O., Speck, T., Bruchmann, B., Masselter, T. (2021) Self-Actuated Paper and Wood Models: Low-Cost Handcrafted Biomimetic Compliant Systems for Research and Teaching. Biomimetics, 6(3):42. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics6030042
  Editor's Choice
• Plant-inspired damage control – An inspiration for sustainable solutions in the Anthropocene*
  Speck, O., Langer, M., & Mylo, M. D. (2021). Plant-inspired damage control–An inspiration for sustainable solutions in the Anthropocene. The Anthropocene Review. doi: 10.1177/20530196211018489
• 3D Reticulated Actuator Inspired by Plant Up-Righting Movement Through a Cortical Fiber Network*
  Masselter, T., Speck, O., & Speck, T.(2021). 3D Reticulated Actuator Inspired by Plant Up-Righting Movement Through a Cortical Fiber Network. Biomimetics 6(2). doi: 10.3390/biomimetics6020033
• Functional morphology of plants – a key to biomimetic applications*
  Speck, O., & Speck, T. (2021). Functional morphology of plants–a key to biomimetic applications. New Phytologist. doi: 10.1111/nph.17396
• Petiole-Lamina Transition Zone: A Functionally Crucial but Often Overlooked Leaf Trait*
  Langer, M., Speck, T., Speck, O. (2021): Petiole-lamina transition zone: A functionally crucial but often overlooked leaf trait. Plants 10(4): 774. doi: 10.3390/plants10040774
• Failure mechanisms and bending strength of Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis stems*
  Hone, T., Mylo, M. D., Speck, O., Speck, T., Taylor, D. (2021): Failure mechanisms and bending strength of Fuchsia magellanica var. gracilis stems. Journal of the Royal Society Interface. 18: 20201023. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2020.1023
• Reactions of sciences to the Anthropocene: Highlighting inter- and transdisciplinary practices in biomimetics and sustainability research*
  Möller, M., Höfele, P., Kiesel, A., Speck, O. (2021): Reactions of sciences to the Anthropocene: Highlighting inter- and transdisciplinary practices in biomimetics and sustainability research. Elementa Science of the Anthropocene 9(1). doi: 10.1525/elementa.2021.035
• Peak values of twist-to-bend ratio in triangular flower stalks of Carex pendula: a study on biomechanics and functional morphology*
  Speck, O., Steinhart, F., & Speck, T. (2020). Peak values of twist-to-bend ratio in triangular flower stalks of Carex pendula: a study on biomechanics and functional morphology. American Journal of Botany 107(11): 1–9. doi: 10.1002/ajb2.1558
• Comparative analyses of the self-sealing mechanisms in leaves of Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma ecklonis (Aizoaceae)*
  Hesse, L., Kampowski, T., Leupold, J., Caliaro, S., Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2020). Comparative Analyses of the Self-Sealing Mechanisms in Leaves of Delosperma cooperi and Delosperma ecklonis (Aizoaceae). International journal of molecular sciences, 21(16), 5768. doi:10.3390/ijms21165768 (Special Issue: Plant Biomechanics)
• Self-repair in cacti branches: comparative analyses of their morphology, anatomy and biomechanics*
  Mylo, M. D., Krüger, F., Speck, T., & Speck, O.. (2020). Self-Repair in Cacti Branches: Comparative Analyses of Their Morphology, Anatomy, and Biomechanics. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(13), 4630. doi:10.3390/ijms21134630 (Special Issue: Plant Biomechanics)
• Wound reactions in stems of Leonurus cardiaca: A morphological, anatomical and biomechanical study
  Speck, O., Schmauder, K., Speck, T., & Paul-Victor, C. (2020). Wound reactions in stems of Leonurus cardiaca: a morphological, anatomical, and biomechanical study. Botany, 98(1), 81-89., doi: 10.1139/cjb-2019-0002
• Twist-to-bend ratio: an important selective factor for many rod-shaped biological structures*
  Wolff-Vorbeck, S., Langer, M., Speck, O., Speck, T., & Dondl, P. (2019). Twist-to-bend ratio: an important selective factor for many rod-shaped biological structures. Scientific reports, 9(1), 1-15. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-52878-z
• Quo vadis plant biomechanics: Old wine in new bottles or an up-and-coming field of modern plant science?*
  Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2019). Quo vadis plant biomechanics: Old wine in new bottles or an up‐and‐coming field of modern plant science?. American Journal of Botany, 106(11), 1399-1403. doi: 10.1002/ajb2.1371.
• An Overview of Bioinspired and Biomimetic Self-Repairing Materials*
  Speck, O., Speck, T. (2019). An overview of bioinspired and biomimetic self-repairing materials. Biomimetics, 4(1), 26. doi: 10.33.90/biomimetics4010026
• Emergence in Biomimetic Materials Systems
  Speck, T., & Speck, O. (2019). Emergence in biomimetic materials systems. In Emergence and modularity in life sciences (pp. 97-115). Springer, Cham.
  
  
  * Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany's Excellence Strategy – EXC-2193/1 – 390951807