Hochzellige

Hochzellige is a term primarily used in German to describe something that is "highly cellular" or has a high cell density. This concept can apply across various scientific disciplines, most notably in biology and materials science.

In biology, a hochzellige structure refers to a tissue or organism composed of a large number of cells packed closely together. This is in contrast to tissues that might be sparsely populated with cells, such as connective tissues with a significant extracellular matrix. Examples could include certain types of epithelia or rapidly growing tumors, where cell division outpaces cell separation. The high cellularity often implies a high metabolic rate and a demand for nutrients and oxygen.

In materials science, particularly in the study of porous materials, "hochzellig" can describe foams or sponges with a high volume fraction of solid material relative to the void space. This means the material has many small cells or pores. Such structures often exhibit unique mechanical properties, such as high stiffness and strength for their weight, as well as good thermal and acoustic insulation. The interconnectedness and size of these cells are critical factors determining the material's overall performance. Understanding the cellular structure is key to optimizing the material for specific applications.