A research group led by Professor Hiroyuki Shima of the University of Yamanashi has discovered for the first time that the mesh patterns of muskmelon follow a common geometric law.

 It is empirically known that there is a certain correlation between the mesh pattern and the quality of melons that have mesh patterns (nets) on the surface.On the other hand, the shape of the melon mesh has rarely been scientifically investigated.

 The mesh of a melon is formed when cracks occur in the epidermis due to swelling of the pulp during growth, and a substance secreted from the inside (suberin) hardens to fill the gaps between the cracks.Such crack patterns can also be observed in many natural phenomena, such as dried rice paddy mud and aged concrete, in which similar fracture processes are caused by internal pressure.Is there some kind of common law lurking there?

 As a result, this group statistically analyzed the fineness of the mesh pattern of several commercially available muskmelons, and found for the first time that the area of ​​the pericarp fragment surrounded by the mesh follows a common probability distribution. .It is said that the fragment area distribution (what percentage of the total area is covered by fragments of a certain area) drew a distribution curve that was almost common among the five melon individuals.

 Furthermore, we found that this distribution curve is not just a coincidence, but can be described by a modified Bessel function derived from the fracture mechanics theory of spherical shell structures.In other words, it is said that the experimentally derived law concerning melon mesh has been proved to be a scientific law backed by dynamic theory.

 This discovery is expected to develop into technology for automatically and objectively judging and evaluating quality and judging the degree of maturity through image recognition from the mesh of a melon in the future.

Paper information:[Journal of the Physical Society of Japan] Empirical Rule of Fruit Rind Fragmentation in Muskmelon Netting

Yamanashi University

Fostering next-generation researchers and leaders who will play an active role in each field, which will be the "core of the region" in knowledge and technology.

The roots of Yamanashi University are in the "Kitenkan", a school of the Edo Shogunate, which was established in 1796. Inheriting the tradition of "knowledge" for more than 200 years, we provide society with a place of learning that will satisfy each and every one of us.With abundant humanity and ethics, with a wide range of knowledge and deep expertise, next-generation researchers and each […]

University Journal Online Editorial Department

This is the online editorial department of the university journal.
Articles are written by editorial staff who have a high level of knowledge and interest in universities and education.