New network architectures with tunable mechanical properties inspired by origami

Abstract

From chemistry-based methods to physics-based methods, there are many techniques to construct porous scaffolds for use in tissue engineering. Among them, computer-aided design (CAD) methods combined with additive manufacturing techniques are promising because they allow accurate control of complex scaffold morphology. Inspired by an ancient art, origami, we propose a novel CAD solution for building porous scaffolds with adjustable overall topologies and mechanical properties tuned by the origami-based parameters. Here, we mainly focus on (1) how to obtain a network from an origami structure and how to fabricate it, (2) how to change the network's topology and mechanical properties by tuning the folding angles and plane angles. With the same porosity, it has been demonstrated that the origami-inspired network's stiffness, yield strength, and ultimate compressive strength are much higher than those of other reported networks, which results from the architecture designed by the origami-inspired design concept. This interesting concept can bridge the gap between origami-based networks and load-bearing orthopedic applications with mechanical biomimetic design, but it is not limited to medical applications. Keywords: Porous structures, Lattice structures, Folding mechanism, Force responses, Additive manufacturing