Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Folding and Characterization of a Bio-responsive Robot from DNA Origami
Published on: December 3, 2015
Bio-Inspired Bidirectional Winding Origami With Programmable Modular Reconfigurability and Scalability
Wenyao Zhang1,2, Chunlong Wang1,2, Mingli Liu1,2
1School of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.
Abstract:
Origami-enabled winding deployable structures offer a promising route to ultralight, compact, and stiff large-scale spacecraft systems. Existing winding origami, however, provides only limited discrete winding-angle options and suffers from strong scale-angle coupling, forcing trade-offs between structural size and functional programmability. Here, we present a bio-inspired origami architecture with bidirectional winding, modular reconfiguration, and scalable extension. Inspired by earwig hindwings, a double axial-folding origami unit is designed and assembled into a circumferential array to form a bidirectionally winding origami foundation. Hybridization with Flasher origami further produces two coupled origami modes that preserve bidirectional winding while inheriting modular scalability. Building on this concept, a bidirectional-winding multilayer origami structure with programmable winding kinematics is developed, where a discrete set of attainable winding angles is generated by assigning layer numbers without changing the central hub or outer boundary size. The resulting design space forms a rich library of winding-angle candidates for programmable deployment. A membrane deployment mechanism is then demonstrated, experimentally confirming bidirectional winding and markedly reduced rotation demand. This work establishes a programmable and scalable platform for large-area forced-deployment systems in civil and aerospace engineering.
Related Concept Videos
Three-Winding Transformers
In the per-unit equivalent circuit of a grounded Y-Y three-phase...
Electro-mechanical Systems
A key component of the DC motor is the armature, a rotating circuit positioned within a magnetic field. As an electric current passes through the...
Sequence Networks of Rotating Machines
Zero-sequence current induces a voltage drop across the generator's neutral impedance and other...
Fast Decoupled and DC Powerflow
Wind Turbine Machine Models
Induction machines interact through the rotating magnetic field generated by the stator and the rotor. The key parameter is slip, which is the difference between synchronous speed and rotor speed relative to synchronous speed. Slip is...
Mechanical Systems

