Rigidly Foldable Origami Structures from Thick Materials ID: 2013-085

A novel technique enabling the creation of thick, rigidly foldable origami structures without compromising motion characteristics.

Technology Overview

This invention from Brigham Young University outlines a groundbreaking method for designing origami-inspired mechanisms that can be constructed from thick materials while preserving the traditional motion characteristics of paper origami. By ensuring the hinge rotational axes align in a common zero-thickness plane, the technique allows for the use of arbitrary panel thicknesses without affecting the mechanism's movement.

Key Advantages

• Enables the use of thick materials in origami designs without compromising motion
• Maintains stability and motion characteristics of traditional origami
• Applicable in a wide range of fields including consumer products, packaging, architecture, and space exploration
• Supported by a National Science Foundation grant, ensuring rigorous scientific backing

Problems Addressed

• Overcomes limitations of current origami-inspired designs that cannot incorporate thick materials without altering motion or stability
• Addresses the need for versatile, foldable structures in industrial and scientific applications

Market Applications

• Consumer products that require innovative folding mechanisms
• Architectural designs that benefit from foldable, space-saving structures
• Packaging solutions that are both efficient and aesthetically pleasing
• Space applications such as deployable solar arrays and satellite components

Additional Information

Technology ID: 2013-085
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Date Published: 13 May, 2025