Origami-based impact mitigation via rarefaction solitary wave creation

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aau2835
• Publication Date: 2019-05-24T23:15:17Z
• Authors: Hiromi Yasuda; Yasuhiro Miyazawa; Efstathios G. Cha...; Christopher Chong; Panayotis G. Kevr...; Jinkyu Yang
• Keywords: Rarefaction (ecology)

The principles underlying the art of origami paper folding can be applied to design sophisticated metamaterials with unique mechanical properties. By exploiting flat crease patterns that determine dynamic and unfolding motion origami, we are able an origami-based metamaterial form rarefaction solitary waves. Our analytical, numerical, experimental results demonstrate this wave overtakes initial compressive strain waves, thereby causing latter part structure feel tension first instead compression under impact. This counterintuitive mechanism used create a highly efficient-yet reusable-impact mitigating system without relying on material damping, plasticity, or fracture.