Origami engineering

Origami traces its origins to an ancient art form transforming flat thin surfaces into various complex, fabulous 3D objects. Nowadays, such transformation transcends art by offering a conceptual framework for non-destructive and scale-independent abstractions for engineering applications across diverse fields with potential impact in education, science and technology. For instance, a growing number of architected materials and structures are based on origami principles, leading to unique properties that are distinct from those previously found in either natural or engineered systems. To disseminate those concepts, this Primer provides a comprehensive overview of the major principles and elements in origami engineering, including theoretical fundamentals, simulation tools, manufacturing techniques and testing protocols that require non-standard set-ups. We highlight applications involving deployable structures, metamaterials, robotics, medical devices and programmable matter to achieve functions such as vibration control, mechanical computing and shape morphing. We identify challenges for the field, including finite rigidity, panel thickness accommodation, incompatibility with regular mechanical testing devices, manufacturing of non-developable patterns, sensitivity to imperfections and identifying the relevant physics at the scale of interest. We further envision the future of origami engineering aimed at next-generation multifunctional material and structural systems.