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Tue, 03 Mar 2026

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 Know when to fold them: the tech inspired by origami

Origami techniques can add strength to structures without adding bulk.
Akib Zaman, a PhD candidate at MIT, successfully created a mini chair by pulling a thread attached to a flat waffle-like material. This was the first time his idea had come to life after months of work. He was inspired by the Japanese art form kirigami, which involves cutting paper to achieve 3D shapes. Zaman's research used 3D-printing techniques to create materials divided into chunky, square-shaped tiles. These tiles can be compressed together to pop up into a desired shape, such as a chair or a tent-like structure. The team developed a computer program that converts 3D models into flat, grid-like versions, which are then attached to a pull-cord. This technology has potential applications in creating larger structures like buildings and even tiny structures that can deliver drugs to specific sites in the body. Experts in origami-inspired engineering note that while these techniques hold promise, they often make things complicated and difficult to scale up or use with non-paper materials. However, researchers' understanding of origami-like structures has improved significantly in recent decades, leading to new start-up companies and university spin-outs developing products inspired by origami. One such company, Stilfold in Sweden, is using a blunt wheel to create creases in sheet metal, allowing for the creation of curved or bent shapes that also stiffen the material. This technology has been used to manufacture chassis for electric motorcycles and is being explored for use in cars and trucks. Other researchers are exploring the potential of origami-inspired designs in aircraft and wind turbine wings, which could fold down quickly or flex with ease, mimicking the way birds morph their wings during flight.