3D Origami Material Folds, Bends On Its Own

Here is a new type of transformable material that can fold, bend, and shrink on its own. It can change size, volume, and shape and withstand the weight of an elephant without breaking. As Harvard researchers explain, this 3D, thin-walled structure can be used to make reprogrammable objects:

The structure is inspired by an origami technique called snapology, and is made from extruded cubes with 24 faces and 36 edges. Like origami, the cube can be folded along its edges to change shape.

As the material changes its shape, its stiffness also changes. It can be embedded with thermal, dielectric, and other actuators. Pretty exciting if you ask us. More information is available here.