Bioinspired dual-stiffness origami

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Mechanical Engineering
• Robotics

Background:

• Existing origami structures present a trade-off between load-bearing capacity and resilience.
• This limitation hinders their application in dynamic environments requiring both strength and impact absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel origami structure with dual-stiffness properties, combining high load-bearing capacity with resilience.
• To demonstrate the practical applications of this structure in robotics and aerospace.

Main Methods:

• The proposed structure mimics insect wings, featuring a prestretched elastomeric membrane sandwiched between rigid tiles.
• This design integrates soft, resilient joints with rigid structural elements.

Main Results:

• The dual-stiffness origami structure exhibits both high load-bearing capabilities and resilience to impact.
• Validated in a quadcopter frame, it withstands flight forces and softens during collisions.
• An origami gripper demonstrated effective rigid grasping while preventing object damage through softening.

Conclusions:

• The insect-wing-inspired origami structure overcomes the limitations of existing designs by offering combined load-bearing and resilience.
• This innovation has significant potential for advanced applications in robotics, aerospace, and metamaterials, enhancing safety and functionality.