Bio-inspired programmable multi-stable origami

Abstract

This Letter presents a programmable path to multi-stability of the Kresling origami by introducing bio-inspired nonlinear creases. The origami mathematical model is proposed for the bio-inspired Kresling with the validations by uniaxial compression experiment and finite element analysis. Mono-stability, bi-stability, and tri-stability are demonstrated in one Kresling origami cell. Local energy minimum of multi-stability is found to arise from asymmetric energy barriers. Stable state bifurcation can be tunable under different nonlinearity of the creases and free-stress dihedral angles. Position of stable equilibria can be programmable by varying free-stress dihedral angle of the crease. This work provides a strategy to design programmable multi-stable origami structures.