Aerodynamic Significance of Mass Distribution on Samara Descent

Samaras, a distinct category of fruit, are composed of heavier seeds and lighter wings. Diversity in morphologies and structures subtly contributes to the flight patterns of various seeds, thereby serving as a key factor in the reproductive strategies of plants. To explore the mechanisms underlying...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2024-11
Main Authors: Zhao-Bang, Hou, Zhang, Jun-Duo, Yun-Da, Li, Yong-Xia, Jia, Wei-Xi, Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Descent
Flight
Mass distribution
Seeds
Three dimensional analysis
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Samaras, a distinct category of fruit, are composed of heavier seeds and lighter wings. Diversity in morphologies and structures subtly contributes to the flight patterns of various seeds, thereby serving as a key factor in the reproductive strategies of plants. To explore the mechanisms underlying various samara flight behaviors, we proposed an effective scheme by manipulating the mass distribution on a plate to mimic various three-dimensional descent behaviors of samaras. Through this framework, we experimentally identified and characterized four distinct flight modes. The three-dimensional vortical structures were then numerically analyzed to gain insights into the samara-inspired flight behaviors. Our study demonstrates how strategic mass distribution in samaras leads to diverse flight behaviors that leverage vortices to enhance seed dispersal, offering a fresh perspective for the design of biomimetic fliers.
ISSN:2331-8422