Origami is rapidly emerging in science and engineering applications for use as deployable structures of all scales, but assemblies are often flexible and require bracing or locking mechanisms to achieve the desired stiffness. Evgueni Filipov, his advisor Professor Glaucio H. Paulino at GA Tech, and Professor Tomohiro Tachi of the University of Tokyo developed a unique method of coupling tubes derived from the Miura-ori pattern. Their zipper coupled tubes have a single flexible motion for deployment, but are substantially stiffer for all other deformations such as bending and twisting. The versatility can be used for making various deployable systems such as metamaterials, robotics, aerospace structures, and architecture. 

The work was published in PNAS Early Edition on September 8, 2015.

The article was highlighted in a commentary by Reis et al. 2015  in the same edition.

View Paper: Full Text (PDF)Supporting Information (PDF) 

Links to Journal: Link to PaperLink to Supporting Information 

This work was selected by the National Academy of Sciences to receive the 2015 Cozzarelli Prize. The paper won the category of “Engineering and Applied Sciences”, and is one of six in PNAS to receive this distinction for 2015. The prize is awarded for outstanding scientific excellence and originality. See the official news release and other media coverage below.

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Glaucio Paulino and Evguenio Filipiv using origami in civil engineering
Interlocking Tube Structure

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