Paper Folding Helps Make New Things
Wednesday, 2026/03/04297 words4 minutes614 reads
The centuries-old Japanese arts of origami and kirigami are increasingly influencing contemporary engineering, though the path from paper folding to practical applications remains complex. While origami relies solely on folding techniques, kirigami incorporates strategic cuts to achieve three-dimensional forms, often seen in elaborate paper pop-ups.
At MIT, PhD candidate Akib Zaman and his colleagues have pioneered a method of 3D-printing material segmented into angular, square-shaped tiles. The geometry of these tiles and their interconnecting cuts allow the flat structure to compress and spontaneously assume predetermined three-dimensional configurations—from miniature chairs to tent-like structures. Their algorithmic design software translates any 3D model into the corresponding flat grid pattern with an integrated pull-cord mechanism. Applications range from architectural-scale constructions to microscopic drug-delivery systems that unfold at targeted sites within the human body.
Yet significant obstacles persist in translating these techniques to industrial contexts. Mark Schenk, an origami engineering specialist at the University of Bristol, observes that while the famous Miura fold was deployed on a 1995 Japanese satellite's solar panel, simpler solutions often prove more practical. The inherent complexity of origami-based designs, combined with the challenge of working with materials less forgiving than paper, has historically limited widespread adoption.
Nevertheless, recent mathematical advances and entrepreneurial ventures suggest a turning point. Swedish startup Stilfold has industrialized a process using blunt wheels to crease sheet metal, creating curves that enhance structural rigidity—analogous to how curving a pizza slice increases its stiffness. This approach achieves 20-30% material reduction while maintaining strength, translating to lower costs and reduced embodied carbon emissions. Having manufactured 200 electric motorcycles, Stilfold is now collaborating with automotive giants Volvo and Scania. Meanwhile, Northeastern University researchers have patented origami-inspired wing structures featuring accordion-like corrugations that enable dynamic morphing, mimicking avian flight mechanics for potential applications in aircraft and wind turbines.
