New Scientist: Pulse of light creates instant origami.
“The researchers used plastic sheets that shrink when placed under a heat source such as infrared light. Using an ordinary inkjet printer, they printed black ink along the lines to be folded. Since black absorbs more energy than paler colours, the lines first shrink more than the surrounding material and then fold when subjected to light. Increasing the width of the line increases the angle of the fold, making it possible to produce a range of shapes.”
Deeply, deeply cool.
Now picture yourself as the researchers behind this…
Reblogged from Radiolab.
November 13, 2011, 10:18pm
