Five things: Origami unfolds in many ways

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Five things: Origami unfolds in many ways

Published: 6.8.2025

The word ori means ‘folded’ and kami means ‘paper’ in Japanese. Origami refers to both the traditional Japanese art of paper folding and to the object it produces. At Aalto University, this centuries-old technique finds applications across a variety of disciplines. Here are five examples:

A complex, large installation of twisted white paper structures with various spirals and curves against a dark background. — The artwork Wakesonance, made of ice paper and elastic string, is on display at the final exhibition of the Crystal Flowers in Halls of Mirrors course at Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre. Photo: Matti Ahlgren.

Computer models of protein structures including rods, a ring, and a sphere with green and white components on a grey background. — DNA origami nanostructures (blue) can be used to program the shape of virus particles (grey). The native capsid with a diameter of 28 nanometres is shown in green-grey. Image: Mauri A. Kostiainen.

1. Origami at the nanoscale

DNA origami merges biology with engineering. It’s a technique for precisely shaping DNA into specific structures.

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to reshape virus capsid proteins using nanoscale DNA and RNA origami structures, which means they can configure these viral particles into the desired shapes.

The diverse DNA origami structures developed at Aalto open up possibilities for vaccine development, targeted drug delivery and photothermal therapy.

Reprogramming the shape of virus capsids could advance biomedicine

Tiny origami controlled by light

Researchers at Aalto and Karolinska developed a microscope without a microscope

In the centre of the picture is a Miura-fold paper model opened up, at the top left is a hand holding the folded model. — Paper template for folding a Miura pattern. Image: Ella Huttunen.

2. Educational origami

Children and teens get hands-on with origami in workshops hosted by Aalto University Junior. While learning about the academic world, they might fold a Miura pattern – an extremely efficient fold that NASA has used to pack satellite solar panels.

Alongside folding instructions, workshop participants learn about origami’s role in space exploration and discover what the Aalto-1 satellite is all about. They also learn how to study space technology at Aalto.

Geometriaa origameilla

Origamit avaruudessa

FOLD project — FOLD is featured at the Finlandia Hall’s permanent exhibition in the Land of forests section. (Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13 e, Helsinki)

3. Protective origami

The FOLD and FOLD2 packaging design projects boldly reimagined cardboard as a material, in collaboration with VTT.

The first phase produced a machine that folds cardboard into the classic Miura pattern. Current research is exploring ways to use this folding pattern to create packaging solutions, acoustic elements and layered sandwich structures from cardboard and other materials.

Folded cardboard offers an excellent alternative to plastic and styrofoam in packaging. Demo packages made from FOLD materials have already been showcased at international design events. In addition to its versatility and eco-friendliness, this beautiful new material has inspired designers.

Large artworks hanging on ceiling in a dark room: amber-like resin sculpture and swirly white paper sculpture. — Artworks Movements and Wakesonance on display at the Fibrations exhibition. The exhibition runs at Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre, until 31 December 2025. (Tiedepuisto 1, Vantaa). Photo: Matti Ahlgren.

4. Mathematical and artistic origami

Aalto University's Crystal Flowers in Halls of Mirrors is an interdisciplinary course where mathematics meets art and architecture.

In 2025, students explored the world of paper folding under the guidance of origami artist Juho Könkkölä. ‘Everything we studied was done by folding,’ he says. Mathematical concepts were explored while experimenting with different folds.

The exhibition Säikeistyksiä(Fibrations) showcases a cloudlike artwork that simulates turbulence as a physical phenomenon, created using numerous curved folds.

Textile work by Mithila Mohan with origami structure — Works from Mithila Mohan's Unfold project have been exhibited, among others, in the DIALOGUES group exhibition at the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York. Photo: Helmi Korhonen.

5. Textile origami

Not all folding is about creating delicate paper objects. In her doctoral research project Unfold, Mithila Mohan explored how origami can be applied to textiles, like how different materials and weaving techniques can produce fabrics that are not flat and uniform but inherently three-dimensional – almost like sculptures. Repeating origami tessellation patterns serve as templates for folding and shaping the material into self-supporting structures.

The resulting textiles ripple and move without any added support.

Mithila Mohan works in the research group Multifunctional Materials Design (MMD), which aims to create new functional materials.

Dialogue between origami principles, materials, and weave structures

Multifunctional Materials Design

Group led by Professor Jaana Vapaavuori

MMD webpage main image. GIF image by Aalto University, Giulnara Launonen

Research project develops electrically controlled artificial molecular machines

Electronically controlled molecular machines would be faster as well as easier to manufacture, as they would not need to rely on sophisticated chemical synthesis.