Introducing the Maple-Copter (scientists copy maple seed design ==> helicopter...must see video!)

CEH ^ | October 21, 2009

[GodGunsGuts]

Oct 21, 2009 — Plants are not as stationary as one might think. Parts of them, like seeds, can travel for miles. One good example is the maple seed. Its little helicopter seeds can catch an updraft and fly a long distance from the tree. Now, engineers at University of Maryland have imitated its physics and designed a radio-controlled mono-copter that can sustain stable flight for hours...

[GodGunsGuts]

Ping!

[Hardastarboard]

I wish someone would find a way to make the “helicopter maple” extinct. I hate those @#$^$%#@# things, especially since I’m a car guy (they get in the drain vents and plug them, causing rust).

[GraceG]

We may not agree on the process of evolution, but I am always glad to see the study and emulation of plant and animal designs to better mankind.

There is definitely a lot we can learn from Nature, even Leonardo DaVinci was inspired by nature to create a lot of his inventions that were a head of their time.

[ClearCase_guy]

That’s cool!

[rightwingextremist1776]

Try a car cover.....I’m a car guy too....

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

From the link;
“Some kid some day is going to freak out the neighbors with fake UFO sightings. One of the videos described this project as “Inspiration – Imitation – Invention – Evolution” but the evolution was the engineers’ intelligently-guided attempts to refine their imitation of nature. So it was intelligent design science all the way. This invention is a great achievement by the young engineers at University of Maryland. It only took mankind 59 years to figure out how the maple seed does it. Hopefully this project will create more interest in the design inherent in natural forms.
They fly through the air with the greatest of ease,
Inherent design in the young maple seeds;
Their movements are graceful, to engineers please,
Poor Darwin’s been purloined away. “

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Too many are a curse but samara blessing!

[GOP_Party_Animal]

Uh, "scientists" just observe and record. Engineers build things.

[Nephi]

Very cool!

[Just another Joe]

Pretty cool but I think you’d get dizzy. ;^)

[Califreak]

I’m surprised nobody did this sooner.

Isn’t the idea natural to consider when watching a maple seed descend?

[FormerRep]

That pun is both hugh and series.

[Camel Joe]

Have you tried the electronic anti rust devices yet? I have a 2005 Focus that I drive in WNY and park outside that has no rust even on the undercarriage. I had the tires changed recently and the tech asked me why I spent so much time on a Focus. I asked him what he meant and he told me you could eat off the underside of the car. I thought it was BS when I purchased the car used with the anti rust already installed.

[ElectricStrawberry]

Yep...maple seeds are cool.

[reed13]

But, but, but..... they still fall to the ground - do they really want a helicopter that falls down? Granted it is slower, but.....

[NoDRodee]

Maybe they could make rocket launchers out of those little white weeds that grow in the grass, you know the one where you wrap the stalk around and fire them at people.

[GodGunsGuts]

Did you watch the video???

[Yo-Yo]

Is it more efficient than a conventional helicopter? No.
Is it more practical than a conventional helicopter? No.
Is it more stable as a camera platform than a conventional helicopter? No.

It's a fun toy and an excellent engineering design study. It's not the next "Big Thing" in UAVs.

Lockheed Martin has been working on something very similar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY38uho9ZdE

[garjog]

Amazing how blindly guided natural processes can randomly evolve an ideal mono-wing.

Hmmm. Maybe these things were designed by, as Reagan says, "The big Guy Up There" after all?