# Collaborative Research: Development of an in Silico Full Leaf Model Validated by Experiments

> **NSF 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT** · New York University (NY) · $336,380

## Abstract

Designing and building mechanically robust, multi-functional materials is a challenging problem in engineering. However, naturally occurring biological materials typically perform multiple functions and are robust to environmental disturbances throughout their development. In contrast to most human-engineered materials, biological materials are often formed through self-assembly, a process that occurs when large-scale emergent structures form not from overarching designs, but instead from physical interactions between cells and other structures. One of the most important organs in nature is the plant leaf, which is the site of almost all terrestrial carbon fixation globally. Despite being seemingly planar, leaves are three-dimensional organs composed of multiple, porous tissues that develop from tightly compacted, undifferentiated cells. This award supports research to create a three-dimensional model of leaf development to recapitulate the structural diversity among real leaves and test how this structural variation influences leaf performance. In so doing, this project will create a "virtual leaf" platform for future studies of leaf function and advance the development of self-assembling, biomimetic materials, as well as mentoring and educating high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

Building stable, porous materials with tunable and targeted properties through self-assembly has the potential to transform material science and engineering. This project uses the

## Key facts

- **NSF award ID:** 2532425
- **Awardee organization:** New York University (NY)
- **SAM.gov UEI:** NX9PXMKW5KW8
- **PI:** Adam B Roddy
- **Primary program:** 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
- **All programs:** MB-Mechanobiology, UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION, GRADUATE INVOLVEMENT
- **Estimated total:** $336,380
- **Funds obligated:** $336,380
- **Transaction type:** Standard Grant
- **Period:** 07/01/2025 → 12/31/2027

## Primary source

NSF Award Search: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2532425

## Citation

> US National Science Foundation, Award 2532425, Collaborative Research: Development of an in Silico Full Leaf Model Validated by Experiments. Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-06 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nsf/2532425. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NSF Awards dataset](/datasets/nsf-awards) · CC0 1.0*