Computational paper wrapping transforms non-stretchable 2D devices into wearable and conformable 3D devices

TL;DR

This paper introduces a computational design method that enables non-stretchable 2D materials like silicon and copper to be transformed into conformable 3D wearable devices through advanced kirigami techniques.

Contribution

It extends geometrical design in computational kirigami to enable reliable wrapping of stiff, brittle materials into complex 3D shapes without failure.

Findings

Enables conformal wrapping of non-stretchable materials.

Increases applicability of kirigami in device fabrication.

Demonstrates transformation of devices like lighting and batteries into wearable forms.

Abstract

This study starts from the counter-intuitive question of how we can render a conventional stiff, non-stretchable and even brittle material conformable so that it can fully wrap around a curved surface, such as a sphere, without failure. Here, we answer this conundrum by extending geometrical design in computational kirigami (paper cutting and folding) to paper wrapping. Our computational paper wrapping-based approach provides the more robust and reliable fabrication of conformal devices than paper folding approaches. This in turn leads to a significant increase in the applicability of computational kirigami to real-world fabrication. This new computer-aided design transforms 2D-based conventional materials, such as Si and copper, into a variety of targeted conformal structures that can fully wrap the desired 3D structure without plastic deformation or fracture. We further demonstrated that our novel approach enables a pluripotent design platform to transform conventional non-stretchable 2D-based devices, such as electroluminescent lighting and a paper battery, into wearable and conformable 3D curved devices.