Origami Invention for Spacecraft
Designed to Soften Impact of Landings Source: University of Washington Origami Inspired Metamaterial This is unique innovation developed by a team at the University of Washington. They've created origami-inspired structures made from metamaterials. They specifically designed it to soften spacecraft landings and enable their reuse. The metamaterial structures that absorb and soften impact by their "folding creases" could also be used on cars to potentially save lives in accidents. Unit Cells The structure is made of unit cells that are repeated in a specific pattern. The cells flex to absorb impact and then return to their original shape, softening the blow. The team has tested a prototype design with twenty cells. The first few unit cells absorbed the entire impact. They continue to develop their unique technological innovation. Their results were just published in the journal Science Advances.