Paper Folding Helps Make New Things

Scientists are using paper folding ideas to make new things. Origami is the Japanese art of folding paper. Kirigami is similar but also uses cutting.

A student at MIT made a small chair from flat material. He pulled a string and the flat piece became a 3D chair. The team was very excited. They want to use this idea to make buildings or small things that carry medicine in the body.

A company in Sweden uses folding ideas to make metal parts for motorcycles. They made 200 electric motorcycles. This method uses less material and costs less money. Other scientists are making wings that can fold like bird wings.