Self-drilling seed carriers break new ground

Inspired by natural seeds that have a curved tail to help them burrow into the soil, a study published Wednesday unveiled prototype human-designed seed carriers that can be sprayed from above and coil and uncoil depending on the humidity in the air, helping them to corkscrew into the ground. State-of-the-art Self-burying Erodium grass seeds that inspired the research have a single whip-like appendage to help them push into the earth. Researchers gave that natural design a technological update using engineered white oak wood veneer to create a carrier with three rotor blade tails. Researchers gave that natural design a technological update using engineered white oak wood veneer to create a carrier with three rotor blade tails. Yao told AFP that the researchers have patented the technology and are looking for investors to develop it further.