Folding nano-scale paper cranes–the power of origami and kirigami in metamaterials

Abstract

The ancient Japanese art of paper folding has influenced several branches of science from mathematics, physics to materials- and space sciences. One of the main advantages of origami is the precision of the folding mechanism that leads to a well-defined folded state. While the main principles of folding are the same as in original paper folding in a wide range of materials, it is the specific interactions and material properties that enable origami folds on scales from nano- to over 20 meters. In this brief review we discuss origami on a molecular level, covering applications in physics of smart materials such as biosensors, stretchable electronics and nanorobotics.