Rigidity of many origami structures can be controlled

What the study found: The study found that the rigidity of a wide range of origami structures can be controlled by making selected facets either planar or non-planar. It also identified that geometry and topology affect the number of degrees of freedom, and that a critical rigidity percolation transition depends on key structural variables.
Why the authors say this matters: The authors conclude that these findings help explain similarities and differences in rigidity control across general origami structures. They suggest this may support the design of flexible mechanical metamaterials for practical applications.
What the researchers tested: The researchers used numerical simulations on origami structures with different facet selection rules. They analyzed how geometry and topology affect degrees of freedom, studied probabilistic properties of rigidity change, and developed a unified model relating critical percolation density, facet geometry, and selection rules.
What worked and what didn't: Enforcing or relaxing planarity of selected facets was associated with controllable rigidity across many origami structures. The study also found that the critical rigidity transition is governed by certain structural variables, and that a unified model can describe the relationship among percolation density, facet geometry, and selection rules.
What to keep in mind: The abstract does not provide detailed limitations, and the reported findings are based on numerical simulations rather than experimental validation in the summary provided.

Key points

• Rigidity in many origami structures can be controlled by enforcing or relaxing planarity in selected facets.
• Geometry and topology influence the number of degrees of freedom in these structures.
• The study identifies key structural variables that govern a critical rigidity percolation transition.
• A unified model was developed to relate critical percolation density, facet geometry, and selection rules.
• The authors say the findings may support the design of flexible mechanical metamaterials.