Seminar: Tailoring the Mechanics of Origami for Deployable and Adaptable Structures

Abstract

Folding thin sheets into origami can create a rich variety of deployable, reconfigurable and mechanistically tunable three-dimensional structures. This talk will first discuss the elastic properties of origami and present an analytical bar and hinge model that can simulate stiffness and deformations in these structures. Using this model, the speaker will explore the geometric mechanics of several origami shapes and tailor their mechanical properties for unique practical applications. Cellular and tubular origami are used to create stiff large-structures and energy absorbing devices. Using curved creases, we show a broad range of possible geometric designs that possess highly anisotropic properties and tunable stiffness. An origami with a hyperbolic paraboloid geometry is used to achieve bi-stable and multi-stable characteristics. Finally, the speaker will show how the compliant hinges can be used for creating practical origami systems at multiple scales.

About the speaker

Evgueni Filipov is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research interests are focused on the underlying mechanics of origami-inspired deployable and reconfigurable structures. These mechanics are employed to improve stiffness, functionality and manufacturing of the folded systems. He holds MS and PhD degrees in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He has received the DARPA 2018 Young Faculty Award, the 2015 Cozzarelli Prize from the National Academy of Sciences and the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.

Hosted by Professor Ryan Harne.