Northwestern Now
‘Kirigami cuts’ can be used to create 3D microstructures and nanotools
Paper snowflakes, pop-up children’s books and elaborate paper cards are of interest to more than just crafters. A team of Northwestern University engineers is using ideas taken from paper-folding practices to create a sophisticated alternative to 3D printing.
Kirigami comes from the Japanese words “kiru”(to cut) and “kami”(paper) and is a traditional form of art in which paper is precisely cut and transformed into a 3D object. Using thin films of material and software to select exact geometric cuts, engineers can create a wide range of complex structures by taking inspiration from the practice.