Origami-Inspired, Self-locking Structures With 3D Printing

Researchers recently shared details on creating foldable, self-locking structures by using multi-material 3D printing. These origami-inspired designs can transition between flat and three-dimensional forms, locking into place without needing external …read more Continue reading Origami-Inspired, Self-locking Structures With 3D Printing→

Ancient tech boosts tape’s adhesive strength, but leaves it easy to peel

Ordinarily, adhesive tape either boasts a strong hold or is easy to remove. Drawing inspiration from an ancient paper-cutting technique, however, scientists have now devised a method of combining both qualities in existing types of tape.Continue Readin… Continue reading Ancient tech boosts tape’s adhesive strength, but leaves it easy to peel→

Bringing The Art Of Origami And Kirigami To Robotics And Medical Technology

Cranes made by Origami (Orizuru). The height is 35mm.

Traditionally, when it comes to high-tech self-assembling microscopic structures for use in medicine delivery, and refined, delicate grippers for robotics, there’s been a dearth of effective, economical options. While some …read more Continue reading Bringing The Art Of Origami And Kirigami To Robotics And Medical Technology→

Kirigami-inspired gripper lifts fragile objects without breaking them

Most robotic grippers work by applying pressure to an object from either side – it’s an approach which could damage delicate items. A new gripper gets around that problem, however, thanks to an ancient Japanese art form.Continue ReadingCategory: Good T… Continue reading Kirigami-inspired gripper lifts fragile objects without breaking them→

Paper-folding art reduced to the nanoscale in engineering breakthrough

There is a lot engineers can learn from Japanese paper folding art forms, from cheap batteries made from paper and water to tiny robots that are activated by heat. While origami gets a lot of the attention, a variation of this called kirigami also has … Continue reading Paper-folding art reduced to the nanoscale in engineering breakthrough→

Harvard’s programmable kirigami balloons inflate into “crazy” shapes

By turning to the paper-based art form of kirigami for inspiration, a team of Harvard researchers has developed a system for programmable balloons that can take on all kinds of “crazy” shapes when inflated. More than just a vehicle to produce impressiv… Continue reading Harvard’s programmable kirigami balloons inflate into “crazy” shapes→