Ejecting Sowing
Background
Inspired by explosive seed pods, this device uses temperature and humidity to mimic ballistic seed ejection. At low temperatures, seed pods store elastic energy, while high humidity activates the release structure to eject seeds. The device is designed for precise, timed seeding in small agricultural fields, ensuring efficient dispersal with each release.
How it Works
- At high temperatures during the day, the seed pods (dispersal structure) remain flat, and the release structure stays closed.
- As the temperature decreases in the evening, the seed pods attempt to bend but are blocked by the release structure, causing them to accumulate elastic potential energy.
- At the same time, with rising humidity (or sudden rainfall), the release structure lifts, causing the seed pods to spring open and eject seeds into the surrounding environment instantly.
Coordinating Mode
The device design follows the Synergistic Mode.
Result
Each device ejects 4-8 small seeds (1-2 mm in length) over a circular area with a diameter of approximately 300 mm, making it suitable for timed seeding in small-scale agricultural fields. We also measured the elasticity of the seed pod structure using a force gauge, which generates up to 0.25 N of force when compressed from a curved to a flat state.