2D-to-3D transformation of ring origami via snap-folding instabilities
Lu Lu, Sophie Leanza, Luyuan Ning, Ruike Renee Zhao · Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 206 (2026) 106404 · 2025
By adding out-of-plane natural curvature to ring-origami rods, 2D rings can spontaneously snap into designed 3D equilibrium shapes with controllable mono- or multistability.
Plain English summary
Why this matters
Key findings
- Introducing out-of-plane natural curvature into ring-origami rod segments enables spontaneous 2D-to-3D snapping into equilibrium.
- Out-of-plane natural curvature-induced bending moments drive the ring to leave the plane and settle in 3D.
- Modeling and finite element simulations plus experiments are used to systematically investigate equilibrium states and transition behavior.
- Square and hexagonal ring examples illustrate designed behaviors including planar-to-spherical snap-folding.
- Rational curvature design can yield multistability (multiple 3D configurations) or monostability (compact zero-energy 3D configuration).
Limitations
The abstract does not specify quantitative performance metrics (e.g., actuation forces, energy barriers, robustness to fabrication tolerances), the range of geometries/materials beyond the representative square/hexagonal rings, or how broadly the strategy generalizes beyond the studied configurations.
Publication
- Publisher
- arXiv
- Journal
- Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 206 (2026) 106404
- Publication date
- September 2, 2025
- Research type
- Paper
- arXiv
- 2509.02467
- Access
- open
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