Oxford academic’s origami engineering project showcased in Dubai
Dr Chenying Liu’s project, ‘Origami-Informed Robots’, was one of the top 100 projects selected from more than 2,700 submissions for the Prototypes for Humanity programme.
The programme, established by the UAE’s Dubai Future Foundation, spotlights global research projects that aim to tackle society’s pressing social and environmental problems.
Her research focuses on the mechanical properties derived from paper folding and how these can be applied in healthcare and sustainability technology.
Her project addresses the limitations of soft robots, a new type of robot made from soft materials that mimic the behaviour of muscles and skin, making them safer for human interaction.
However, their softness poses challenges, such as maintaining their shape and controlling their movements.
Dr Liu, a lecturer at Christ Church, said: “Origami-based designs provide soft-bodied properties akin to soft materials while offering improved control and actuation.”
Her research makes a significant advance by applying origami techniques to more robust engineering materials.
She said: “Despite its potential, traditional origami faces limitations due to its reliance on paper.
“My project addresses this by not only applying origami principles to replace soft materials in robots but also investigating fundamental folding techniques to incorporate durable engineering materials like plastics, wood, and even metal.”
Dr Liu’s work has led to the development of adaptable grippers for handling delicate objects like eggs or soft-skinned fruits, providing a cost-effective solution for agricultural harvesting.
Her research has also been used to design manipulators for handling hazardous materials in nuclear plants, and in millipede-like robots that can transform into various shapes to navigate confined spaces, offering potential in disaster rescue operations.
Dr Liu said: “It was a great honour to showcase my work as part of the Prototypes for Humanity exhibition in Dubai.
“I am delighted to have had the opportunity to present how small folding structures can have a big impact on society.”
Dr Liu’s project builds on her doctoral research in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford.
She added: “The exhibition was an invaluable opportunity to engage with industrial sectors and explore potential commercialisation of my work.
“Equally exciting was the chance to see other inspiring projects across diverse fields, including machine learning, sustainable battery technology, and biomedical devices.”
