Dandelion seeds possess a complex three-dimensional structure and a self-adapted flying ability. To understand this fascinating flight mechanism, a three-dimensional umbrella-shaped model imitating dandelion seeds is proposed. The effects of folding angle and flow velocity on the dandelion drag force during their descent are studied, and it is found that the larger folding angle results in a smaller drag coefficient. Four different vortex structures are revealed depending on the folding angle. The effect of crosswind disturbances on the attitude stability of dandelions is also investigated by changing folding angles. It is found that dandelions with larger folding angles have better attitude stability. The proposed model suggests that when the folding angle is between 20° and 40°, the dandelion seeds might have a good balance between the drag force and attitude stability, which ensures a broad self-adapted flying ability.
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August 2023
Research Article|
August 16 2023
On the attitude stability of flying dandelion seeds

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Lang Qin (秦琅)
;
Lang Qin (秦琅)
(Formal analysis, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing)
1
State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Xi'an 710049, China
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Zhen Jian (菅振)
;
Zhen Jian (菅振)
a)
(Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Supervision, Writing – review & editing)
1
State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Xi'an 710049, China
2
Research Institute of Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 311215, China
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Yeyin Xu (徐业银)
;
Yeyin Xu (徐业银)
(Resources, Software)
1
State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Xi'an 710049, China
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Lifeng Ma (马利锋)
Lifeng Ma (马利锋)
a)
(Funding acquisition, Resources, Supervision, Writing – review & editing)
1
State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Xi'an 710049, China
3
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, the University of Nottingham
, University Park NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
Search for other works by this author on:
1
State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Xi'an 710049, China
2
Research Institute of Xi'an Jiaotong University
, Zhejiang, Hangzhou 311215, China
3
Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, the University of Nottingham
, University Park NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
Physics of Fluids 35, 081904 (2023)
Article history
Received:
June 05 2023
Accepted:
July 13 2023
Connected Content
A companion article has been published:
Learning how to fly from dandelion seeds
Citation
Lang Qin, Zhen Jian, Yeyin Xu, Lifeng Ma; On the attitude stability of flying dandelion seeds. Physics of Fluids 1 August 2023; 35 (8): 081904. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0160735
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