Nepal's Champati Seeds: Unlocking the Secrets of Landslides and Avalanches

Nepal’s Champati seeds, from the Lapsi tree, hold significant medical and cultural value—but now they may also play a key role in scientific exploration. Researchers from the Technical University of Munich, the Kathmandu Institute of Complex Flows, and Tribhuvan University have studied the seeds' unique rolling and bouncing dynamics on slopes, detailed in their recent publication in *Physics of Fluids*. Each seed's distinct structure, with a wide head and narrow tail, creates intriguing motion dynamics akin to geological flows like landslides. **Shiva Pudasaini**, a study co-author, highlights the unique behavior of Champatis in motion as they mimic rock avalanches' spreading patterns. This unprecedented behavior could provide valuable insights into understanding geological flows and industrial processes. The study’s initial findings are promising but require further investigation with advanced technology to fully grasp their implications in earth science and engineering. The team is expanding their research capabilities through collaborations abroad to delve deeper into the Champati's potential.