Summary
Geraniaceae seeds move through soil on their own, driven purely by changes in humidity - a feat achieved without motors, batteries or control electronics, and one that soft robotics has long wanted to reproduce. This study examines the internal structure and biomechanics of Pelargonium appendiculatum seeds, where hygroscopic tissues are arranged so that different regions respond selectively to environmental moisture, then translates that architecture into a 4D-printed artificial seed. Coaxial electrospinning contributes the fibrous, anisotropic elements whose swelling behaviour drives the motion, giving a soft robot powered by the environment itself.
Authors & Affiliations
Linari Electrospinning Systems
Linari RT Advanced with coaxial needle
The fibres were produced on a Linari RT Advanced apparatus (Linari Engineering S.r.l.) comprising a syringe pump and a coaxial needle of 1.2 mm internal diameter - the multi-material platform described on our RT Advanced page.