‘Cut & Fold’ a single sheet of paper to metamaterial
How a single sheet of material can be ‘cut & fold’ to a 3D structure that could guide sound and light to perform complex task
Combining insights from two ancient art forms, Princeton engineers used a single sheet of material to create 3D structures with adjustable flexibility that could guide sound and light to perform complex tasks.
“Eventually, this could be used for optics and semiconductors.”
In an article published Nov. 8 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, a research team led by professor Glaucio Paulino reported that they used strategic cutting and folding to turn a single sheet of paper into a metamaterial — a material that demonstrates unique properties based on form and geometry. An egg carton, which is stronger than a sheet of cardboard, is a simple example.
Paulino said the researchers used aspects of paper cutting, or kirigami, to transform a sheet of paper into a complex surface with a large number of holes, which mathematicians call a high-genus surface. The researchers then applied folding techniques based in origami to turn the paper into a three-dimensional structure. However, most of the work involved exploring the underlying mathematics behind the combined patterns of cuts and folds and working out algorithms that engineers can use to create metamaterials with desired properties.
“Combing the two disciplines is not as simple as cutting a piece of paper and folding it,” said Xiangxin Dang, a postdoctoral researcher in Paulino’s lab and the article’s lead author. “It involves a careful balance between the two ideas.”
Dang said the balance between the cuts and folds allows designers to create a network effect among shapes that are connected with hinges. This allows designers to create adjustable, three-dimensional structures that can be tailored to respond to outside forces like pressure. For example, a structure could be rigid in one direction and flexible in another. With a simple twist, the structure can alter flexibility as its geometry changes.
Paulino said designers can create shapes that use the structure to introduce polarity — the ability to guide flow in one direction. Electric circuits are an example of polarity. But unlike electric circuits, the new metamaterial uses geometry rather than electromagnetic fields to generate polarity. With additional work, he said engineers could use the technique to create geometric circuits to guide sound … more
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