When we think of origami, delicate small paper cranes come to mind. However, Professor of Mechanical Engineering Mohammed Daqaq has proven that some origami patterns are so strong that their design can be used as energy-absorbing mechanisms in shoes, road-side barriers, and even airplane landing gear.
In NYUAD’s Laboratory for Applied Nonlinear Dynamics, Daqaq and his team of researchers studied an origami pattern known as the Kresling pattern –a well-known and widely-used origami technique consisting of parallelogram folds –and found it had unique shock-absorbing qualities. The researchers found that when the Kresling pattern contracts, it rotates and compresses, dissipating energy through the graceful folding along its creases.
“The cool thing about it is that typical shock absorbers are one-time use. So once you impact them, they use buckling and fracture to dissipate energy,” Daqaq, who is also the associate dean for undergraduate programs, said. “With origami, we don't break anything. It's just the folding process that dissipates the energy, so you can use the same structure again as many times as you want. Maybe in the future, shoes will use these tiny origami patterns that are being used for shock absorption.”
Daqaq said his NYUAD lab was the first to combine 3D printing with origami principles to create a functional origami shock absorber. The printer delivers an already-assembled design that behaves like paper origami but uses rubber, plastic, and other materials. Daqaq said the lab designed and manufactured prototypes to illustrate how origami could work in different applications.
“The concept can be scaled up and down so long that we have a fabrication process that allows this. We're limited by the ability of the 3D printing machines that are available in the market,” Daqaq said. “Those cannot build large things, especially the ones we’re using, which are multi-material.”
Researchers worldwide are studying different origami patterns and how they can be used in various engineering applications, including bridges, robots, and building designs. Daqaq said that, so far, his research only evaluated the energy-absorbing characteristics of the Kresling pattern. For example, that pattern may not have the qualities for collapsible bridge design or airplane landing gear.
With the discoveries made in the Japanese art form, Daqaq predicts origami will inspire the design of many structures, buildings, and machine elements.
“I think the 3D-printed shock absorbers that we have created are ready to go to the market,” Daqaq said. “If you find the right company that can take them and implement them, we are confident they can function much better than the shock absorbers available in the market. You must work with those companies and find the right people to invest.”
At NYUAD, Daqaq feels that the University is investing in his success.
“Everyone is trying to make things easier for you to succeed,” Daqaq said. “It’s a very healthy environment, conducive to learning, education, and research.”
