Discrete Element Modeling of Buzz Pollination

Buzz pollination involves the release of pollen from flower anthers through vibrations generated by bees. Despite previous experimental and numerical studies, the intricacies of pollen dynamics within these vibrating structures remain elusive due to the challenges in observing these small, opaque systems. Discrete Element Method (DEM) is used to simulate the pollen expulsion process, establishing a baseline for understanding the correlation between the maximum jerk of the anther walls and the initial rate of pollen expulsion. Under purely translational oscillations, increased vibration intensity enhances pollen release, though this has diminishing returns beyond typical buzzing conditions. Further, pollen-pollen interactions, which can account for approximately one-third of total collisions, play a more significant role than previously considered. Building on this baseline, we explore the impact of material damping, for both anther walls and pollen particles, and non-translational bending shapes have on the pollen expulsion rate. Initial results suggest the restitution coefficient is a significant driver in how quickly pollen is released and the importance of characterizing the material properties of the system.