Search Results (11)

In recent years, ecofriendly and renewable energy solutions have gained relevance mainly to lessen the effects of climate change. Governments and companies across the world have commitments to reduce fuel consumption and emissions as part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Solar energy systems have great importance as a renewable energy source; however, they often have large space requirements to be effective, e.g., large areas covered by solar panels, as well as low efficiency and strong dependance on the weather. On the other hand, origami, the art of folding paper, can be a source of inspiration for new technologies and solutions for modern problems. In this paper, origami-inspired solar panels are presented as a potential solution for naval and mining operations. Prototype panels are manufactured based on the Miura-Ori pattern. Using this pattern, the photovoltaic modules can be folded by just one movement, thus reducing their footprint by up to 90%. The prototype photovoltaic modules are then tested on land and on board a vessel, where their efficiency and resistance can be tested. It is shown that naval and mining operations, where fuel consumption can be extremely high and available space is a major constraint, benefit greatly from this kind of development. Full article

Amid accelerating globalization and resource scarcity, rapid urbanization and population mobility have made sustainable development a critical issue for cities. Frequent relocations pose furniture disposal challenges for many young migrants, with high transportation costs and furniture wear increasing their economic burden and resource waste. Origami design effectively addresses these needs with its portability, easy storage, simplified manufacturing, and reduced failure rates. However, most furniture designers lack origami expertise, limiting their ability to leverage these benefits. This study integrates the existing literature and presents a sustainable furniture design method combining Rhinoceros 3D, Grasshopper, and Crane, enabling designers to incorporate origami principles with limited prior knowledge. The results show that this method not only enhances the economic feasibility of furniture but also balances user needs, commercial interests, and environmental sustainability, offering new insights for urban sustainable development. Full article

Origami, the art of paper folding, has long fascinated researchers and designers in its potential to replicate and tap the complexity of nature. In this paper, we pursue the crossing of origami engineering structures and biology, the realm of biologically-inspired origami structures categorized by the two biggest taxonomy kingdoms and DNA origami. Given the diversity of life forms that Earth comprises, we pursue an analysis of biomimetic designs that resemble intricate patterns and functionalities occurring in nature. Our research begins by setting out a taxonomic framework for the classification of origami structures based on biologically important kingdoms. From each of these, we explore the engineering structures inspired by morphological features, behaviors, and ecological adaptations of organisms. We also discuss implications in realms such as sustainability, biomaterials development, and bioinspired robotics. Thus, by parlaying the principles found in nature’s design playbook through the art of folding, biologically inspired origami becomes fertile ground for interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity. Through this approach, we aim to inspire readers, researchers, and designers to embark on a journey of discovery in which the boundaries between art, science, and nature are blurred, providing a foundation for innovation to thrive. Full article

Natural disasters devastate property and infrastructure systems, impeding sustainable development. Low-income communities, due to economic, physical, and social disparities, face heightened exposure and vulnerability. These communities endure severe and long-lasting infrastructure damage, experiencing a fourfold increase in deaths per disaster and delayed recovery efforts. Consequently, they resort to constructing informal housing and infrastructure, worsening post-disaster challenges and vulnerabilities. This study aims to address post-disaster challenges in low-income communities by proposing two novel approaches that remain understudied despite their significant potential: (1) a short-term solution of origami temporary emergency housing for swift shelter post-disaster, enabling a return to routine activities while homes and infrastructure systems are being repaired or rebuilt; and (2) a long-term solution, including effective pedagogy, such as teaching methods and instructional tools, to educate and train low-income individuals to aid in sustainable post-disaster reconstruction while providing the added benefit of social mobility. To validate the feasibility of origami TEH and the need and effectiveness of the pedagogy, a survey among architecture, engineering, and construction experts in Puerto Rico, a region prone to natural disasters, was conducted. The results, analyzed using statistical measures including descriptive statistics and ordered probit regression analysis, emphasize the urgent need for sustainable TEH that can be quickly assembled and education for low-income individuals in construction trades. Implementing these solutions will significantly impact communities by addressing post-disaster challenges and promoting social mobility and job equity. Full article

Topology morphing insulation enables the on-demand switching of thermal properties between insulative and conducting states through shape change. The adaptive nature of these systems allows them to regulate heat transfer by dynamically altering insulation materials or systems in response to changing conditions, including environmental factors, electrical grid dynamics, and occupant requirements. In this article, we highlight the potential of topology morphing insulation for advancing building envelope design, improving energy efficiency, and facilitating on-demand adjustments in effective thermal conductivity. We provide a comprehensive overview of topology morphing insulation, delving into its underlying principles, mechanisms, and potential applications. This review explores cutting-edge research and the potential application of insights from non-building concepts, such as nature, textiles, and origami. Additionally, it examines crucial aspects such as actuation mechanisms, effectiveness, lifecycle considerations, sustainability implications, and manufacturing feasibility. We discuss the potential benefits and challenges associated with implementing topology morphing insulation solutions. Thanks to its transformative capabilities, topology morphing insulation holds tremendous promise for advancing building envelope design, driving energy efficiency improvements, and facilitating responsive changes in effective thermal conductivity. Full article

Most government schools and colleges run on low budgets in India, yet they cater to a large population of students. In government settings, biology labs lack basic equipment such as simple microscopes or compound microscopes or sometimes possess just one instrument. In the absence of compound or simple microscopes, the students lose interest in science. To solve this issue, the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, introduced the origami microscope, the foldscope, into the Indian educational system. In this article, we describe the design of a sustainable, inclusive, and equitable curricula for teaching biological concepts using the foldscope. We describe the implementation of foldscope-adapted curricula in post-secondary settings to teach natural selection, developmental biology, parasitology, and economic Zoology via individual, small-group, and large-group field trips, and project-based learning that involves experiential learning. We found that these culturally sensitive pedagogies involving translingual instructions had the potential to retain students and make science education accessible for the linguistically and culturally diverse population of India. We could successfully implement our project as per the five priority action areas outlined by UNESCO. Therefore, we propose the adoption of the foldscope-adapted curricula under SDG4 to make STEM education accessible in budget-frugal settings. Full article

Recently, as the use of wearable devices and the demand for eco-friendly energy have increased, many studies have been conducted on triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs), which can economically harvest energy. Paper is considered a promising substrate and frame material that can be used to manufacture self-powered TENGs, owing to its flexibility, low cost, and accessibility. Herein, we present a sandwich-structured foldable paper-based TENG (FP-TENG) that comprises flexible materials and uses paper as a substrate. The FP-TENG can generate up to 572 mW/m² of power via contact–separation of the triboelectric electrified body at the top and bottom. With more folds of the FP-TENG, the triboelectric cross-sectional area increases, and, thus, the electrical output increases. In addition, the proposed TENG exhibits excellent durability without signal degradation under 5000 cycles of repeated pushing motions. To demonstrate its practicality, the FP-TENG was manufactured in the form of a wristwatch Velcro and connected to an electronic watch panel to supply power. Various deformations are possible with origami, and they can drive wristwatches through external forces. Therefore, the FP-TENG is expected to be utilized as a sustainable and promising eco-friendly energy source for small electronic devices. Full article

Outstanding properties and advanced functionalities of thermal–regulatory by origami-based architecture materials have been shown at various scales. However, in order to model and manage its programmable mechanical properties by Building Information Modelling (BIM) for use in a covering structure is not a simple task. The aim of this study was to model an element that forms a dynamic shell that prevents or allows the perpendicular incidence of the sun into the infrastructure. Parametric modelling of such complex structures was performed by Grasshopper and Rhinoceros 3D and were rendered by using the V-ray’s plugin. The elements followed the principles of origami to readjust its geometry considering the sun position, changing the shadow in real time depending on the momentary interest. The results of the project show that quadrangular was the most suitable Origami shape for façade elements. In addition, a BIM-based automated system capable of modifying façade elements considering the sun position was performed. The significance of this research relies on the first implementation and design of an Origami constructive element using BIM methodology, showing its viability and opening outstanding future research lines in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency. Full article

In the last 10 years, paper-based electrochemical biosensors have gathered attention from the scientific community for their unique advantages and sustainability vision. The use of papers in the design the electrochemical biosensors confers to these analytical tools several interesting features such as the management of the solution flow without external equipment, the fabrication of reagent-free devices exploiting the porosity of the paper to store the reagents, and the unprecedented capability to detect the target analyte in gas phase without any sampling system. Furthermore, cost-effective fabrication using printing technologies, including wax and screen-printing, combined with the use of this eco-friendly substrate and the possibility of reducing waste management after measuring by the incineration of the sensor, designate these type of sensors as eco-designed analytical tools. Additionally, the foldability feature of the paper has been recently exploited to design and fabricate 3D multifarious biosensors, which are able to detect different target analytes by using enzymes, antibodies, DNA, molecularly imprinted polymers, and cells as biocomponents. Interestingly, the 3D structure has recently boosted the self-powered paper-based biosensors, opening new frontiers in origami devices. This review aims to give an overview of the current state origami paper-based biosensors, pointing out how the foldability of the paper allows for the development of sensitive, selective, and easy-to-use smart and sustainable analytical devices. Full article

Investigations into the refolding of DNA origami leads to the creation of reconstructable nanostructures and deepens our understanding of the sustainability of life. Here, we report the refolding of the DNA origami structure inside a micron-sized compartment. In our experiments, conventional DNA origami and truss-type DNA origami were annealed and purified to remove the excess staples in a test tube. The DNA origami was then encapsulated inside of a micron-sized compartment of water-in-oil droplets, composed of neutral surfactants. The re-annealing process was then performed to initiate refolding in the compartment. The resulting 100-nm-sized DNA nanostructures were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the qualities of their structures were evaluated based on their shape. We found that the refolding of the DNA origami structure was favored inside the droplets compared with refolding in bulk solution. The refolded structures were able to fold even under “quick” one-minute annealing conditions. In addition, the smaller droplets (average diameter: 1.2 µm) appeared to be more advantageous for the refolding of the origamis than larger droplets. These results are expected to contribute to understanding the principles of life phenomena based on multimolecular polymer self-assembly in a micron-sized compartment, and for the production and maintenance of artificially designed molecules. Full article

Filtering of electromagnetic signals is key for improved signal to noise ratios for a broad class of devices. However, maintaining filter performance in systems undergoing large changes in shape can be challenging, due to the interdependency between element geometry, orientation and lattice spacing. To address this challenge, an origami-based, reconfigurable spatial X-band filter with consistent frequency filtering is presented. Direct-write additive manufacturing is used to print metallic Archimedean spiral elements in a lattice on the substrate. Elements in the lattice couple to one another and this results in a frequency selective surface acting as a stop-band filter at a target frequency. The lattice is designed to maintain the filtered frequency through multiple fold angles. The combined design, modeling, fabrication, and experimental characterization results of this study provide a set of guidelines for future design of physically reconfigurable filters exhibiting sustained performance. Full article