Engineers are translating the principles of origami and kirigami into commercial technologies, as advances in mathematical modelling and materials science move paper-folding concepts from laboratory experiments towards industrial application.
At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researchers have developed 3D-printed materials divided into square tiles that can transform from flat sheets into three-dimensional structures when compressed. Inspired by kirigami, which combines folding and cutting, the team created a computer programme that converts a digital 3D model into a flat grid design attached to a pull cord. When activated, the structure pops into shapes such as chairs, tents or containers. The work, described in a paper published in December, could potentially scale to building-sized structures or be miniaturised for medical devices designed to deploy inside the body.
Despite longstanding academic interest, origami-inspired engineering has faced practical constraints. The Miura fold, devised by Japanese astrophysicist Kōryō Miura to compact solar arrays, was used on a Japanese satellite in 1995. Yet specialists note that such designs can be difficult to scale and adapt to materials less forgiving than paper. Mark Schenk, an expert at the University of Bristol, observes that origami is still uncommon in mainstream engineering, although research understanding has expanded significantly in recent decades.
Commercial ventures are beginning to test its viability. Swedish start-up Stilfold uses folding techniques to crease sheet metal, increasing stiffness while reducing the need for brackets and supports. The company says it can cut material use by 20 to 30 per cent and has manufactured 200 electric motorcycle chassis using the method. It is also working with Volvo and Scania on lightweight automotive components. In Finland, Fold2 has explored folded cardboard packaging inserts, while researchers in the United States have patented foldable, morphing wing structures that could allow aircraft or turbines to adjust shape in response to air pressure.
Although wider adoption may depend on further investment and engineering acceptance, origami-inspired design is increasingly positioned as a pathway to lighter, more adaptable industrial systems.
