Paper Folding Helps Make New Things
Wednesday, 2026/03/04194 words3 minutes611 reads
Engineers are finding creative ways to use origami and kirigami, traditional Japanese paper arts, in modern technology. While origami involves only folding, kirigami also includes cutting paper to create three-dimensional shapes.
At MIT, researcher Akib Zaman developed flat tiles that transform into 3D structures when pulled together. His team created a computer program that converts any 3D model into a flat grid pattern. When compressed, these tiles pop up into chairs, tents, or containers. The technology could scale up to buildings or down to tiny drug-delivery devices inside the human body.
However, applying these techniques to engineering presents challenges. Mark Schenk from the University of Bristol notes that origami designs can be complicated and difficult to scale up. Materials like metal don't fold as easily as paper.
Despite obstacles, companies are finding success. Swedish startup Stilfold uses folding techniques to strengthen sheet metal without extra brackets or screws, reducing material use by 20-30%. They've manufactured 200 electric motorcycles and are working with major automotive companies. Meanwhile, researchers at Northeastern University have patented origami-inspired wing structures that could help aircraft and wind turbines adjust their shape during flight, similar to how birds control their feathers.
