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MIT Unveils Transformative Kirigami Material for 3D Applications

12/27/2025

Summary

Story summary

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a kirigami-inspired material that transforms from a flat grid into 3D structures when a string is pulled, with potential applications in transportable medical devices, foldable robots, and modular habitats for Mars.
An algorithm guides the design, optimizing the process and making it user-friendly.
They have tested the method on various objects, including a chair.
They pursue engineering challenges and smaller structures.

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Story summary

Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a kirigami-inspired material that transforms from a flat grid into 3D structures when a string is pulled, with potential applications in transportable medical devices, foldable robots, and modular habitats for Mars.
An algorithm guides the design, optimizing the process and making it user-friendly.
They have tested the method on various objects, including a chair.
They pursue engineering challenges and smaller structures.