Dimple-Encoded Reprogrammable Origami
Qun Zhang, Weicheng Huang, Amir Hajiyavand, Hyunyoung Kim, Claire Dancer, Karl Dearn, Mingchao Liu

TL;DR
This paper introduces a dimple-encoded origami method that transforms bistable dimples into reprogrammable hinges, enabling versatile shape morphing and adaptive structures through a simple, fabrication-friendly approach.
Contribution
It presents a novel dimple-encoded origami platform that allows reprogrammable, multi-shape configurations and morphing capabilities without changing the underlying geometry.
Findings
Single sheet can be reprogrammed into multiple shapes like triangle, square, pentagon.
Validated through experiments and finite element simulations.
Demonstrated applications include impact-resistant shells and deployable cubes.
Abstract
Programmable folding of elastic sheets typically relies on predefined flexible creases or active materials-enabled hinges, which lack intrinsic bistability and limit reprogrammability within a single structure. Here, we present a dimple-encoded origami platform that converts bistable dimple snapping into spatially addressable hinges with prescribed folding angles in a continuous sheet. This interaction-enabled mechanism enables the design of distributed hinge networks through the arrangement and selective inversion of dimples. We establish folding-angle design charts that can be directly used to select local dimple arrangements for target fold angle, forming a practical hinge library without altering the underlying unit geometry. Using this approach, a single dimpled sheet can be reprogrammed to realize multiple distinct configurations, such as triangle, square, and pentagon shapes. We…
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