Florida International University (FIU) researchers are using technology and principles derived from the traditional Japanese art of origami to create remarkably compact and incredibly efficient antennas and electronics."By using origami geometries we can reconfigure antennas to whatever shape fits our purpose," said Stavros Georgakopoulos, assistant professor in FIU's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. "These geometries offer unique advantages of collapsibility. That's important for a number of applications, such as technology that needs to be launched in space or used on the battlefield."Georgakopoulos is working with colleagues at Georgia Tech with the support of a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The team will work on the development of unique shapes that can allow the antennas to be only a couple of centimeters when folded flat and expand into much larger spaces with powerful, ultra-broadband capabilities."A soldier will be able to carry a powerful antenna into combat folded in his back pocket," said Georgakopoulos.Possible applications for the antennas include a range of military and commercial uses, including communications equipment, wireless sensors, health monitoring sensors, portable medical equipment, and many other applications.A traditional paper-folding art, origami includes both modular and moving types of structures. Mathematicians recently have focused on theoretical and practical questions raised by origami, resulting in technical advances in many areas.
From Geometrical Origami comes Modular Origami...actually these two works hand in hand. Today, we have a lot of Modular folders and I think it is not necessary for me to list out everyone. What I like about Modular is because most of the Modules are quite simple. Actually the more simple it is the better....anyone can fold the modules....but the real challenge is in the assembly. I like modules which are derived from Traditional bases and Traditional models. There are just so many beautiful Modular Origami that one can get out from the Traditional Crane. Momotani has lots of these. He made flowers, Dragons, Centipedes and many other subjects in modular form just by assembling the Tsuru.
From Geometrical and Modular, one can actually branch out into different classes. Some go for Tessellations, Repeated patterns, Sonobe, Boxes, Polyhedra, and Intersecting Polyhedra etc. etc. I guess I branched out to Heart Models. Actually, the shape of the Origami heart is a geometrical shape. At first when I made an Origami heart, my friends laugh and say that there are just too many straight lines, how can you call it a heart? But I guess today the Origami Heart is well accepted.
Remember his motto:
Peace and Harmony through Origami!
Let's get the world to fold! Celebrate origami by spreading the joy of paperfolding during World Origami Days, held each year from October 24–November 11, a 2-1/2 week celebration of the international community of origami!. Help us make origami as visible as possible: teach a class, fold on the bus, give your friends origami, exhibit your models. The possibilities are limitless, just as with origami itself.
October 24 is the birthday of Lillian Oppenheimer (1898-1992), who founded the first origami group in America. She was also one of the founders of the British Origami Society and OrigamiUSA. A dynamic woman, she was delighted in the magic to be found in a piece of paper and wanted to share it with the world.
November 11 is Origami Day in Japan where the paper crane has become a symbol of peace.
Download the World Origami Days Poster (see right).
Go here for a list of events scheduled for World Origami Days. If you've got an event to be listed, email us at wod-info@origami-usa.org. We will add your information to the website and to the OrigamiUSA calendar.
Go here for some ideas on hosting a World Origami Days event. If you've got an idea you'd like to be listed, email us at wod-info@origami-usa.org. We will add your information to the website.
Go here to celebrate World Origami Days by folding a sailboat with a celebration notice on it or a flapping bird with "Celebrate World Origami Days" on the wings in your native language! Download diagrams and templates for folding.
Go here for some additional resources to help you spread the news about World Origami Days.
Go here to share your celebrations in our Flickr photo gallery.
