Origami Structures Research Articles

Study on crashworthiness of square frustum lattice structure under in-plane compression load

The direction of load on the component in engineering applications is often uncertain, so the excellent crashworthiness and smooth load transfer of energy-absorbing structures in various directions is of great application value. Square frustum lattice structure (SFLS) was proposed based on the control of cell deformation mode and the improvement of in-plane strength without increasing the overall mass. Compared with multi-cell tubes commonly used in engineering and origami-patterned structure with excellent performance in research, it is found that the SFLS shows high and stable energy absorption capacity with the same structural parameters. The SEA and CFE of SFLS are 1.7 times and 3.5 times of origami structure and multi-cell tube, respectively, and the fluctuation indicator of the force displacement curve of origami structure and multi-cell tube are 1.7 times and 2.7 times of that of SFLS. In-plane quasi-static compression experiment was carried out and the finite element model was verified. The results of parametric analysis and sensitivity show that, compared with the change of cell number and cell height, the crashworthiness of SFLS under in-plane compression was most sensitive to the ratio of side length, in the range of parameters studied, the maximum SEA value of SFLS can reach 79.35 J/g for k value equal to 0.3, while the best indicator of smoothness of force-displacement curve of SFLS is found at k equal to 0.5.

3D-printable Kresling-embedded honeycomb metamaterials with optimized energy absorption capability

Abstract Kresling origami structure has attracted significant interest for achieving extraordinary mechanical properties. In this study, we proposed a new strategy to develop 3D-printable Kresling-embedded honeycombs (KEHs) based mechanical metamaterials and achieve optimized mechanical energy absorption capability. By exploiting the twisted deformation modes and boundary constraints, various KEH reinforced metamaterials were designed, where their deformation behaviors and energy absorption properties were investigated using finite element analysis and quasi-static compression tests. Effects of orientation twisting angle, boundary constraint and crease tilting angle on the deformation behaviors of these KEH reinforced metamaterials were studied to optimize their energy absorption properties. Finally, deformation behaviors and energy absorption properties of KEH reinforced metamaterials incorporated of KEH arrays in both 2D structure and 3D structures were studied. Both experimental and simulation results showed that the proposed KEH reinforced metamaterials achieved much more stable compression behaviors and higher energy absorption capabilities than those of the traditional honeycomb structures. This study provides a novel KEH reinforcement strategy for 3D printed metamaterials with optimized energy absorption capabilities to dramatically expand their practical applications.

A multimodal continuum robot constructed using three stable state characteristics of Kresling origami

Abstract Inspired by the Kresling origami structure and its three stable state characteristics, a novel multimodal continuum robot (MCR) has been proposed in this paper, which achieve its own movement through gas-driven and actively elastic deformed Kresling origami. Air bags are utilized to auxiliary drive in this paper, which make the specific plane of origami unit transform from first stable state to third stable state. The high stiffness of third stable state endows the origami unit better carrying capacity and more motion characteristics, the driving force of the central chamber and selective expansion of air bags enable the multimodal motion of MCR. The theoretical model of MCR and three stable state characteristics of Kresling origami are established to predict and control the behavior of actuator. The experimental results of MCR prototype demonstrate the high carrying capacity of proposed origami unit, the feasibility and high accuracy of multimodal motion. The designing concept of this paper improves the ability of continuum robots to perform complex tasks and promotes the development of origami structures in the field of robotics.

2D Titanium Carbide MXene and Single-Molecule Fluorescence: Distance-Dependent Nonradiative Energy Transfer and Leaflet-Resolved Dye Sensing in Lipid Bilayers.

Despite their growing popularity, many fundamental properties and applications of MXene materials remain underexplored. Here, the nonradiative energy transfer properties of 2D titanium carbide MXene are investigatedand their application in single-molecule biosensing is explored for the first time. DNA origami positioners are used for single dye placement immobilized by a specific chemistry based on glycine-MXene interactions, allowing precise control of their orientation on the surface. Each DNA origami structure carries a single dye molecule at predetermined heights. Single-molecule fluorescence confocal microscopy reveals that energy transfer of an organic emitter (ATTO 542) on transparent thin films made of spincast Ti3C2Tx flakes follows a cubic distance dependence, where 50% of energy transfer efficiency is reached at 2.7nm (d0). MXenes are applied as short-distance spectroscopic nanorulers, determining z distances of dye-labeled supported lipid bilayers fused on MXene's hydrophilic surface. Hydration layer (2.1nm) and lipid bilayer thickness (4.5nm) values that agree with the literature are obtained. These results highlight titanium carbide MXenes as promising substrates for single-molecule biosensing of ultrathin assemblies, owing to their sensitivity near the interface, a distance regime that is typically inaccessible to other energy transfer tools.

Clinical Validation of Face-Fit Surface-Lighting Micro Light-Emitting Diode Mask for Skin Anti-Aging Treatment.

Photobiomodulation therapy based on micro light-emitting diodes (µLEDs) holds remarkable potential for the beauty industry. Here, a cosmetically effective face-fit surface-lighting µLED mask for skin anti-aging is introduced. The face-conformable mask enables deep tissue treatment through proximal light irradiation, with a 3D origami structure capable of adapting to complex facial contours with closed adherence. A blister-assisted laser transfer achieves rapid and accurate µLEDs transfer at a high throughput of 50 chips per second, facilitating a mass-producible and large-area process. Finally, clinical trials demonstrate significant improvements in elasticity, sagging, and wrinkles across six facial areas, with a maximum enhancement of 340% in deep skin elasticity of the perioral area compared to the conventional LED mask group.

An analysis on the effect of layer number on the stability of thin DNA origami nanopores

PurposeThe present study aims to design and simulate various types of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) origami-based nanopores and explore their stability under different temperatures and constraints. To create DNA origami nanopores, both one-layer and two-layer structures can be utilized.Design/methodology/approachOne of the key applications of DNA origami structures involves the creation of nanopores, which have garnered significant interest for their diverse applications across multiple scientific disciplines. DNA origami nanopores can be studied individually and in combination with other structures. The structural stability of these nanopores across various temperature conditions is crucial for enabling the passage of diverse payloads.FindingsComparing these DNA origami structures can provide valuable insights into the performance of these nanopores under different conditions. The results indicate that two-layer nanopores exhibit better structural stability under various temperatures compared to one-layer nanopores. Additionally, small structural changes in two-layer nanopores enable them to maintain stability even at high temperatures.Originality/valueIn this paper, various DNA origami-based nanopores were designed and simulated, focusing specifically on one-layer and two-layer configurations. The two-layer nanopore consistently exhibited superior stability across both free and restrained scenarios, undergoing fewer structural changes compared to the one-layer nanopore. As temperatures increased, the two-layer nanopore remained less susceptible to deformation, maintaining closer to its original shape. Moreover, in the free scenario, the geometric shape of the two-layer nanopore demonstrated fewer variations than the one-layer nanopore.

Origami multifunctional metagrating for a mechanically controlled electromagnetic wavefront

Metasurface or artificial electromagnetic (EM) structures offer viable options for manipulating EM waves with compact periodic structures. Tunable metasurfaces are ideal for many engineering and scientific applications because they can manipulate EM wavefronts. However, it is challenging to implement tunable metasurfaces that can achieve multiple functions for integration. In addition, integrated multifunctional metasurfaces are often structurally complicated and bulky. This paper proposes a simple spatial modulation mechanism that uses Miura origami reconfigurable one-dimensional metagrating to achieve multiple control of EM wavefront. Theoretical predictions, numerical simulations, and experiments confirm and validate the basic concepts. In particular, the continuous geometric deformation of the Miura-ori lattice is a promising method for compensating the dispersion of characters in gradient metasurfaces. Considering origami structures’ outstanding mechanical properties and strong deformation abilities, this discovery opens up another avenue for lightweight and deployable meta-devices.

DNA Origami Incorporated into Solid-State Nanopores Enables Enhanced Sensitivity for Precise Analysis of Protein Translocations.

The rapidly advancing field of nanotechnology is driving the development of precise sensing methods at the nanoscale, with solid-state nanopores emerging as promising tools for biomolecular sensing. This study investigates the increased sensitivity of solid-state nanopores achieved by integrating DNA origami structures, leading to the improved analysis of protein translocations. Using holo human serum transferrin (holo-hSTf) as a model protein, we compared hybrid nanopores incorporating DNA origami with open solid-state nanopores. Results show a significant enhancement in holo-hSTf detection sensitivity with DNA origami integration, suggesting a unique role of DNA interactions beyond confinement. This approach holds potential for ultrasensitive protein detection in biosensing applications, offering advancements in biomedical research and diagnostic tool development for diseases with low-abundance protein biomarkers. Further exploration of origami designs and nanopore configurations promises even greater sensitivity and versatility in the detection of a wider range of proteins, paving the way for advanced biosensing technologies.

Optimal Curve Fitting for Serial Chain in Six-Crease Origami Unit

Abstract Origami-inspired structures have been widely used in aerospace and robotics for three-dimensional (3D) symmetrical configurations using crease-symmetrical origami basic patterns. These patterns offer advantages in repeatable and systematic modeling and mass production. However, few studies have focused on 3D non-symmetrical structures using symmetrical origami basic patterns due to their structure complexity, limiting their application. Therefore, we aim to analyze the folding behavior in 3D non-symmetrical structures using a 6-crease symmetry origami base pattern. To achieve this goal, we first focus on behavior in a two-dimensional (2D) plane. This paper presents a scheme for the behavior of origami units with an optimal curve-fitting algorithm. The curve can be any 2D space curve. The fitting curve, constructed by numerical analysis and an optimal approaching scheme, can satisfy error requirements and retain foldable origami unit features. The paper verifies the feasibility of the curve-fitting scheme by presenting two curve examples, including a quadratic curve and a sin wave function. The results show that the fitting error is reduced by 99% when no boundary conditions are applied. This research provides valuable insights into understanding origami unit kinematic optimization through forward and inverse kinematics. It offers potential applications in the engineering design of foldable structures and precision origami-inspired mechanism, thereby opening avenues for further exploration of complex origami structures and their applications in emerging technologies.

Subtraction-based DNA Origami Cryptography by using Structural Defects for Information Encryption.

Conventional cryptographic methods rely on increased computational complexity to counteract the threat posed by growing computing power for sustainable protection. DNA cryptography circumvents this threat by leveraging complex DNA recognition to maintain information security. Specifically, DNA origami has been repurposed for cryptography, using programmable folding of the long scaffold strand carrying additional tagged strands for information encryption. Herein, a subtraction-based cryptographic strategy is presented that uses structural defects on DNA origami to contain encrypted information. Designated staple strands are removed from the staple pool with "hook" strands to create active defect sites on DNA origami for information encryption. These defects can be filled by incubating the structures with the intact pool of biotinylated staple strands, resulting in biotin patterns that can be used for protein-binding steganography. The yields of individual protein pixels reached over 91%, and self-correction codes are implemented to aid the information recovery. Furthermore, the encrypted organization of defective DNA origami structures is investigated to explore the potential of this method for scalable information storage. This method uses DNA origami to encrypt information in hidden structural features, utilizing subtraction for robust cryptography while ensuring the safety and recovery of data.

Programmable Truncated Cuboctahedral Origami Metastructures Actuated by Shape Memory Polymer Hinges

AbstractOver the past few decades, origami‐inspired structures have attracted great attention across various engineering fields due to their unique geometric and mechanical characteristics. Additionally, combining origami structures with active materials is employed to achieve programmable mechanical properties and self‐reconfigurability under external stimuli. In this work, a novel family of truncated cuboctahedral origami metastructures is proposed. These designs integrate shape memory polymers (SMPs) to actively achieve programmable mechanical properties and shape memory behavior. By utilizing SMPs for the creases and stiff materials for the panels, this approach enables deformation along the creases while enhancing the overall structural robustness. The mechanical properties and shape memory processes of these structures are investigated in detail. The proposed origami metastructures exhibit a negative Poisson's ratio and demonstrate excellent energy storage capabilities. Notably, their mechanical properties can be programmed by controlling both temperature and geometric parameters. More particularly, their Poisson's ratio can be tuned within a range of zero to −1. As a result, these truncated cuboctahedral origami metastructures hold significant potential for applications across various engineering domains, particularly in composite structures and active metamaterials.

Tunable wave coupling in periodically rotated Miura-ori tubes.

Origami folding structures are vital in shaping programmable mechanical material properties. Of particular note, tunable dynamical properties of elastic wave propagation in origami structures have been reported. Despite the promising features of origami metamaterials, the influence of the kinematics of tessellated origami structures on elastic wave propagation remain unexplored. This study proposes elastic metamaterials using connected Miura-ori tubes, the kinematics of which are coupled by folding and unfolding motions in a tubular axis; achieved by periodically connecting non-rotated and rotated Miura-ori tubes. The kinematics generate wave modes with localized deformations within the unit cell of the metamaterials, affecting the global elastic deformation of Miura-ori tubes via the coupling of wave modes. Dispersion analysis, using the generalized Bloch wave framework based on bar-and-hinge models, verifies the influence of kinematics in the connected tubes on elastic wave propagation. Furthermore, folding the connected tubes changes the coupling strength of wave modes between the kinematics and global elastic deformation of the tubes by breaking the ideal kinematics. The coupling of wave modescontributes to the formation of the band gaps and their tunability. These findings enable adaptive and in situ tunability of band structures to prohibit elastic waves in the desired frequency ranges.This article is part of the theme issue 'Origami/Kirigami-inspired structures: from fundamentals to applications'.

Improving mass lumping and stiffness parameters of bar and hinge model for accurate modal dynamics of origami structures.

The bar and hinge framework uses truss elements and rotational springs to efficiently model the structural behaviour of origami. The framework is especially useful to investigate origami metamaterials as they have repeating geometry, which makes conventional finite element simulations very expensive due to a large number of degrees of freedom. This work proposes improvements to the parameters of bar and hinge model within the context of structural dynamics, specifically modal analysis under small deformations, which has not been carried out previously in the literature. A range of low-frequency modes involving origami folding and panel bending deformations that can be accurately captured by the bar and hinge framework are identified. Within this range, bar and hinge parameters like the lumped masses and the rotational spring stiffness values are derived using conservation laws and finite element tests. The best among the proposed schemes is found to predict natural frequencies of the considered origami structures to within 10% maximum error, improving the accuracy by more than three times from existing schemes. In most cases, the errors in natural frequencies are less than 5%. This article is part of the theme issue 'Origami/Kirigami-inspired structures: from fundamentals to applications'.

Biomimetic Origami: A Biological Influence in Design.

Origami, the art of paper folding, has long fascinated researchers and designers in its potential to replicate and tap the complexity of nature. In this paper, we pursue the crossing of origami engineering structures and biology, the realm of biologically-inspired origami structures categorized by the two biggest taxonomy kingdoms and DNA origami. Given the diversity of life forms that Earth comprises, we pursue an analysis of biomimetic designs that resemble intricate patterns and functionalities occurring in nature. Our research begins by setting out a taxonomic framework for the classification of origami structures based on biologically important kingdoms. From each of these, we explore the engineering structures inspired by morphological features, behaviors, and ecological adaptations of organisms. We also discuss implications in realms such as sustainability, biomaterials development, and bioinspired robotics. Thus, by parlaying the principles found in nature's design playbook through the art of folding, biologically inspired origami becomes fertile ground for interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity. Through this approach, we aim to inspire readers, researchers, and designers to embark on a journey of discovery in which the boundaries between art, science, and nature are blurred, providing a foundation for innovation to thrive.

Synthesis of a highly programmable multistable Kresling origami-inspired unit cell

Multistable origami structures have been exploited for mechanical property tailoring, deployable robotic arms, wave propagation tuning and others, due to its ability to possess multiple stable states with distinct properties. Traditionally these structures are made by assembling bistable unit cells, which results in a significant increase in the size and weight of the system when larger number of stable states are required. Recently, researchers have uncovered a third stable state in the Kresling origami pattern. Although this is an advancement over the bistable unit cell, there is an unexplored opportunity for more systematically expanding the design space of Kresling unit cells to possess many more stable configurations (>>2) and enhance its programmable multistability. In this research, we seek to develop a methodology for the design of a Kresling origami-inspired unit cell that can be easily programmed to achieve up to 10 stable configurations, with the potential to achieve even more. We exploit the rich kinematics of the Kresling origami-inspired unit cell, that arise from its coupled translational and rotational deployment, and propose the strategic integration of tensile elements to realize multiple stable states. Analytically, we study the unstretched length values (defined to be the precise length between the string “slacked” and “tensioned” configurations) of the strings that yield the distinct number of stable states. We present the potential energy profiles with its corresponding force-displacement plots for the bistable, tristable, quadstable, pentastable and decastable unit cells. Moreover, we show that by simply adjusting the unstretched length of the strings we can program and tune the number of stable states of the unit cell. Tristable and pentastable unit cell prototypes are designed and experimentally tested to validate the proposed methodology. Lastly, a study is performed on the mechanical property tailoring capabilities of two unit cells assembled in series. The results show that the decastable unit cell assembly can achieve up to 55 discrete values of equivalent stiffness, while the bistable one can only achieve 3. For the bistable unit cell assembly to match this number, it will require 54 unit cells in series, which will significantly increase the size and weight of the structural system. These findings show that the modular structure will have more programmable capabilities, while maintaining its size and weight at a minimum, as the number of stable states per unit cell is increased.

Vibration suppression of a meta-structure with hybridization of Kresling origami and Yoshimura origami

In recent years, the deployment and vibration suppression capabilities of spacecraft have become one of the prominent research topics. Considerable effort has been dedicated to studying the deployability and vibration suppression performance of origami structures. However, traditional origami types severely limit their application in aerospace engineering due to their unique deployment behavior. This study introduces a novel meta-structure with hybridization of Kresling origami and Yoshimura origami (MHKYO), designed to suppress low-frequency vibrations. The band structure and transmission rate of the proposed metastructure were studied to evaluate its vibration suppression performance. The adjustment of the bandgap of the metastructure was achieved through geometric parameter variation. Quasi-static compression experiments and transmission rate experiments were carried out, and the results obtained were almost consistent with those obtained by finite element methods. During the compression process, the origami metastructure exhibited quasi-zero-stiffness (QZS) behavior. The influence of the metastructure’s stiffness on the band structure was analyzed. It is also proved that the hybrid origami metastructure improves the vibration suppression performance of the traditional origami metastructure. This work proposes a new origami-inspired metastructure, providing a certain theoretical basis for the application of origami technology in aerospace engineering.

Engineering Origami: A Systematic Literature Review in the context of Space Technology, Design, and Applications

Abstract: Origami is the ancient art of Japanese paper folding. For years it has been used to create stunning works of art. But origami has also been used in more surprising ways, like car airbags, stents, and even space exploration. Origami is a bit more than just a paper crane. Engineers use it for use, solve the interesting problems. Origami teaches how to fold very large thin sheets into very small spaces. And that's exactly what space engineers need. The reason for incorporating origami for space applications is to launch structures in space that are just amazingly big using flashers, starshade folding, tessellations, etc. So being able to fold these structures such that they fit neatly within our rocket and then unfold when they get to space. The researcher has attempted to do a literature review and to demonstrate how origami can be used in aerospace engineering and related fields. Innovative aerospace solutions such as morphing aircraft wings and deployable space constructions are made possible by the principles of origami. Using sophisticated modelling and simulation tools is essential for creating intricate origami structures for aerospace applications.

A quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolator inspired by Kresling origami

Vibration isolators are widely used to mitigate undesirable vibrations in engineering systems and structures, but low-frequency vibration isolation remains a challenge. Origami-inspired structures, with their tunable stiffness and transformative capabilities, offer potential for vibration isolation. Inspired by conical Kresling origami, this study proposes a quasi-zero-stiffness vibration isolation system. Static analysis of the origami structure reveals that the system exhibits near-zero dynamic stiffness at the static equilibrium position, while maintaining static stiffness during the load-bearing process. The amplitude-frequency characteristic formula and vibration transmissibility formula are derived using the harmonic balance method. The effects of varying damping ratios and excitation amplitudes on the amplitude-frequency and transmissibility curves are examined. It is shown that the vibration isolation range increases with the number of layers. A comparison of the system's response to harmonic vibrations under different compressive deformations highlights the effectiveness of the origami quasi-zero-stiffness system as a vibration attenuator. Compared to existing quasi-zero-stiffness dampers, the origami-inspired system features a wider isolation frequency band, a lower initial isolation frequency, and reduced vibration transmissibility, demonstrating superior isolation performance, particularly at low frequencies.

Programmable multi-stability of curved-crease origami structures with travelling folds

Multi-stable structures capable of rapid switching among different stable states have seen applications in various fields such as energy absorption, mechanical computing, and soft actuators. Curved-crease origami, which naturally involves simultaneous deformation of creases and facets, shows great potential in the development of multi-stable structures. However, upon loading, existing curved-crease origami structures tend to follow the same deformation mode as in the curved surface formation process which involves facets elastic bending, flattening, and reverse bending, thus leading to only two stable states. To achieve multi-stability, here we propose a series of curved-crease origami structures composed of planar facets and curved ones. Through a combination of experiments, numerical simulations, and analytical modelling, we demonstrate that the planar facets forming a Sarrus linkage guide the deformation mode of the curved ones, leading to the initiation and propagation of travelling folds in the curved facets. By transforming the travelling folds at specific positions into actual creases, we can achieve multiple stable states in a single structure. In addition, the number and positions of the stable states, as well as the initial peak force, can be programmed by varying the geometric parameters. Consequently, this work opens a new pathway for the development of generic multi-stable structures with programmable mechanical properties.

DNA Mechanics: From Single Stranded to Self-Assembled.

DNA encodes genetic information and forms various structural conformations with distinct physical, chemical, and biological properties. Over the past 30 years, advancements in force manipulation technology have enabled the precise manipulation of DNA at nanometer and piconewton resolutions. This mini-review discusses these force manipulation techniques for exploring the mechanical properties of DNA at the single-molecule level. We summarize the distinct mechanical features of different DNA forms while considering the impact of the force geometry. We highlight the role of DNA mechanics in origami structures that serve as self-assembled building blocks or mechanically responsive/active nanomachines. Accordingly, we emphasize how DNA mechanics are integral to the functionality of origami structures for achieving mechanical capabilities. Finally, we provide an outlook on the intrinsic mechanical properties of DNA, from single stranded to self-assembled higher-dimensional structures. This understanding is expected to inspire new design strategies in DNA mechanics, paving the way for innovative applications and technologies.