Origami Metamaterials

We are studying novel classes of origami patterns that complement the classical crease patterns, such as the Miura and Kriesling. 

An example is a cellular origami class that can rigidly flat-fold with one degree of freedom and lock into several states that are stiff across multiple directions, including the deployment direction. Locking under compression yields topology and symmetry changes that impart multidirectional stiffness. Their load-bearing capacity, flat-foldability, and reprogrammability can be harnessed for deployable structures, reconfigurable robots, and low-volume packaging.

In another work, we propose panel confinement modulation as a practical design route for response reprogrammability. In particular, we demonstrate how the in situ modulation of the constrained distance between selected panels enables reprogramming their multistable snapping and energy dissipation for application across sectors, from aerospace to protective equipment, requiring precise control of mechanical damping and energy dissipation. 

Some Related Publications

Almessabi A,  Li Xu, Jamalimehr A, and Pasini D, Reprogramming multistable snapping and energy dissipation in origami metamaterials through panel confinement, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2024.

Jamalimehr A, Mirzajanzadeh M, Akbarzadeh A, Pasini D, Rigidly flat-foldable class of lockable origami-inspired metamaterials with topological stiff states, Nature Communications, 13, 1816, 2022. (PDF)