Bioinspired spring origami

TLDR

Origami folds two‑dimensional sheets into complex three‑dimensional objects, yet some shapes cannot be made with standard folds; the authors studied the earwig wing, which folds in non‑origami ways and changes shape for flight. They replicated this ability by using a membrane that permits deformation and variable stiffness. Prestretching produced energetically bistable origami patterns that self‑fold passively. Faber et al., Science, this issue p.

Abstract

More than just simple folding Origami involves folding two-dimensional sheets into complex three-dimensional objects. However, some shapes cannot be created using standard folds. Faber et al. studied the wing of an earwig, which can fold in ways not possible using origami and can alter its shape for flight. The authors replicated this ability by using a membrane that allows for deformations and variable stiffness. Prestretching generated energetically bistable origami patterns that exhibited passive self-folding behavior. Science , this issue p. 1386