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Mechanically strengthened silicone-based origami structures via hierarchical interfacial shrink fitting
Shuo Zhang1,2, Haocheng Yong1, Jinhao Zhang3
1State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology, School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074 China.
Science Advances
|October 8, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed mechanically strengthened soft origami structures using a novel PMMA/acetone swelling method. This innovation enhances the strength and programmability of silicone elastomers for advanced metamaterials and soft robots.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Robotics
- Soft Matter Physics
Background:
- Soft structured materials like silicone elastomers are crucial for metamaterials and soft robots.
- Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based elastomers have limitations in mechanical strength and programmable construction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a mechanically strengthened PDMS-based origami structure (MSOS).
- To enhance the programmable spatial construction capabilities of silicone elastomers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/acetone solution swelling for PDMS elastomer.
- Achieved mechanically strengthened creases via hierarchical shrink-fitting and seamless interface coupling.
- Demonstrated swollen-folding into programmable spatial constructions.
Main Results:
- Developed a programmable MSOS capable of supporting over 58,100 times its own weight.
- Created a pillbug-inspired ringbot that exhibits high impact resistance.
- Showcased a strategy for customized, mechanically strengthened soft materials.
Conclusions:
- The MSOS approach significantly improves the mechanical properties of PDMS-based materials.
- This method enables advanced functional structural architectures and soft origami robots.
- The findings offer a pathway for developing robust and programmable soft materials.
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