Full Breakdown
Teen Origami Enthusiast Wins $100,000 at International Science Fair with Folding-Simulation Program
7/29/2026, 9:37:54 PM
Origami-Inspired Simulation Wins Top Prize at ISEF
Eighteen-year-old Hikaru Kuribayashi of Hokkaido secured the George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award— a $100,000 scholarship—by developing a computer program that predicts complex origami folding outcomes. His project triumphed over more than 1,700 other high-school competitors at the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Arizona, where finalists collectively received over $7 million in prize money.
From Hokkaido Forests to a Folding Algorithm
Kuribayashi’s fascination with natural folding patterns began in childhood, learning origami from his grandmother while exploring the forests of Japan’s northernmost island. In 2025 he merged that interest with scientific training, spending roughly six months coding the simulation in Julia, a language akin to Python. He also participated in a laboratory at the University of Tokyo, where a professor supplied graduate-level materials that informed his algorithmic approach.
Technical Approach and Potential Applications
The program employs a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm to generate numerous sample scenarios and estimate probable folding configurations. Kuribayashi says the tool can uncover new, efficient patterns that may be applied to engineering challenges—such as compact solar panels for satellites and rapidly deployable emergency shelters that must be both stiff and large, a need heightened by Japan’s frequent earthquakes and tsunamis.
Official Context and Awards
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and the Society for Science organized the ISEF competition, awarding the George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award to Kuribayashi for his innovative blend of art and engineering. The prize includes the $100,000 scholarship and recognition that the finalists together earned more than $7 million in awards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Origami and linkages have been used in many, many other fields,” — Hikaru Kuribayashi
- “I tested this program a lot of times, but since my programming skills aren't professional, I had all these bugs I needed to fix,” — Hikaru Kuribayashi
- “By analyzing natural origami, which is very efficient, we can take and find a new pattern,” — Hikaru Kuribayashi
- “Since there are a lot of earthquakes or tsunamis in Japan, we need to make objects that fold into very tiny spaces,” — Hikaru Kuribayashi
- “I have a lot of appreciation for my family and global teachers. They really helped me to conduct this research,” — Hikaru Kuribayashi
