Aerodynamic significance of mass distribution on diverse samara descent behaviors
Abstract Samaras, or wing seeds, feature fibrous appendages that act as wings to enable wind-driven dispersal. 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...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Communications Engineering |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s44172-025-00465-8 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Samaras, or wing seeds, feature fibrous appendages that act as wings to enable wind-driven dispersal. 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 framework by manipulating the mass distribution on a plate to mimic various three-dimensional descent behaviors of samaras. Through this approach, 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 innovatively 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. |
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| ISSN: | 2731-3395 |