All articles tagged with #squirting cucumber
Researchers studied the squirting cucumber's unique seed dispersal mechanism, revealing how it uses pressurized fluid to launch seeds up to 40 feet at optimal angles, with seeds coated in a sticky substance that aids in adhesion and potential applications in material science and robotics.
Scientists used high-speed cameras and micro-CT scans to study how the squirting cucumber precisely aims and explodes to disperse seeds, revealing its sophisticated natural launch system that could inspire future soft robotics and medical devices.
Scientists from the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford have uncovered the unique seed dispersal mechanism of the squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium), which uses fluid pressure to launch its seeds up to 10 meters away. This process involves the fruit engorging with mucilaginous fluid, altering the stem's angle for optimal launch, and a rapid recoil that propels the seeds. This adaptation reduces competition among offspring and has been studied since ancient times, with the findings published in PNAS.
Researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of Manchester have uncovered the mechanism behind the squirting cucumber's explosive seed dispersal using experiments, high-speed videography, and mathematical modeling. The study reveals that the plant's fruits become highly pressurized, redistributing fluid to the stem, which aids in the seeds' ballistic ejection. This unique dispersal strategy ensures optimal seed distribution and has potential applications in bio-inspired engineering, such as drug delivery systems.
Researchers have uncovered the dynamics behind the squirting cucumber's explosive seed dispersal, the fastest known in the plant kingdom. The plant, native to the Mediterranean, uses a high-pressure jet of slime to eject seeds up to 12 meters away, minimizing competition and aiding species spread. The study, involving high-speed filming and mathematical modeling, reveals that the fruit's rotation and pressurized fluid redistribution are key to its unique dispersal mechanism.
A study by the University of Oxford reveals the unique seed dispersal mechanism of the squirting cucumber, which ejects seeds in a high-speed jet of mucus. This Mediterranean plant's method, involving fluid transfer and pressurization, could inspire bio-engineering innovations. Researchers used experiments and mathematical models to understand how the plant achieves seed ejection speeds of up to 20 meters per second, distributing seeds in a wide range. The findings highlight the plant's near-optimal dispersal system and potential applications in precise medication release.