Researchers at RMIT University in Australia have developed an innovative system that promises to transform building materials. Inspired by the art of origami and the internal structure of bamboo, this new system converts flat tubes into into sturdy, easy to transport and assembleeasy to transport and assemble.
The breakthrough, led by Dr. Jeff Lee and Professor Mike Xie, is based on a self-locking design that uses curved folds. This system allows the tubes to automatically unfold and lock into their strongest shape, eliminating the need for additional mechanisms or human intervention. According to Lee, a panel made from these tubes, which weighs only 1.3 kg, can support the weight of a 75 kg person, highlighting its resilience.
Building materials inspired by nature and art
The research team found inspiration in the internal structure of bamboo, which provides natural strength due to its geometric design. By applying this principle to the collapsible tubes, they achieved a lightweight yet extremely strong material, ideal for applications in architecture and disaster recovery applications.
“This design not only facilitates the transport of materials, but also improves their strength once deployed,” Xie noted. These initially flat tubes can be used in a variety of applications such as aerospace structures, biomedical and civil construction.
A rapid solution for post-disaster reconstruction
The new system promises to transform the way temporary or emergent infrastructure is built. For example, collapsible pipes can play a key role in reconstruction projects after natural disasters, where speed and ease of assembly are vital. In addition, the researchers envision their use in space missionssuch as the deployment of solar panels or modular structures.
The team is now working on improving the design and exploring new applications for this system. “We are optimizing our smart algorithm to further improve the behavior of the tubes under various forces, such as bending and torsion,” Lee explained.
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Source and photos: RMIT University
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