Folding Tech

Space probes, self-assembling robots, and crash-absorbing cars all have one thing in common: their use of folding technologies.

To develop these technologies, engineers are inspired by a pair of unusual sources—origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, and their own backyards, where nature uses folds to squeeze large surfaces, such as ladybug wings and tree leaves, into tiny areas.

Combined, origami and nature are inspiring a revolution in technology. Learn about origami’s ancient history and how it has become a tool for engineers to solve some of the most complicated challenges in architecture, technology, and medicine. You’ll learn the intricate mathematical laws behind basic origami folds, practice your origami skills with DIY paper folding projects, and discover the amazing complexities of NASA’s Mars INSIGHT lander and PUFFER technology using the Lerner AR augmented reality app.

From a nanorobot that delivers drugs inside the body to a space telescope lens that packs tightly onto a rocket and unfolds to the size of a soccer field, this new field of science is full of amazing possibilities. Engineers are only just beginning to discover what they can do with folding technology. Join them as they explore the connection between art, mathematics, and nature!