Event 1 | Origami Revolution

For my first event in this class, I attended a Live Watch Party for the Origami Revolution on April 6th, Tuesday of week two. This event has set the bar pretty because I was blown away by not just how far the art of folding has advanced, but also what that advancement means for technological innovation.

To me, origami has always been the simple art of folding paper. I myself have learned to fold many things such as cranes, boxes, and frogs as fun pass times during my elementary school days. So when the video showed intricate artworks such as the spider by physicist Robert J. Lang, I was in disbelief that something so detailed can be made without any cutting, gluing, or the use of multiple papers. Upon further research, I learned that anyone can do it so long as they have some experience, patience, and a 40x40cm piece of foil paper [1]
Figure 1. Lang's Spider Origami Instructions

As I continued on through the video, my disbelief soon transitioned into astonishment as I learned about the technology aiding these folding masters. There exists laser cutters that can etch the design allowing for more precise folding as well as software programs such as Origamizer that can break down any object into creases patterns on a paper. Modern technology has allowed scientists to delve deeper into mathematics of folding like never before.


Figure 2. Models of an Origami Stent Graft 
Origami has done a lot of technological advancements as well. From creating microrobots to a foldable bulletproof shield, it was amazing how versatile the concept of folding was. What particularly stood out to me however was its use in the medicinal setting. For example, in the video, Kaori Kuribayashi-Shigetomi's used origami to reinvent stents for weakened blood vessels to prevent obstructed arteries. She does so by utilizing an origami technique known as the waterbomb base allowing her to reduce the width of the stent 
Figure 3. David Baker and Some Models of Unnatural Proteins
before it is inserted and then propped back open. [2] Another example mentioned from the video is David Baker who utilized folding to build new proteins from scratch which can then be used to treat various illnesses. His lab has already designed an enzyme known as KumaMax that targets parts of gluten to prevent adverse reactions in patients with celiac disease. [3] I would 100% recommend this event to my classmates especially since origami is so accessible to everyone.


References:

[1] Tarantula by Robert Lang - OrigamiArt.Us. https://origami-art.us/instructions/180-tarantula-by-
            robert-lang. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
[2] Bell, Susan. “Know How to Fold ’Em: How Origami Changed Science, From Heart Stents to               Airbags.” LA Weekly, 26 Apr. 2012, https://www.laweekly.com/know-how-to-fold-em-how   
           origami-changed-science-from-heart-stents-to-airbags/.
[3] “Professor David Baker’s Audacious Approach to Creating New Proteins.” UW Magazine —               University of Washington Magazine, https://magazine.washington.edu/feature/proteins-hold-
           the-key-to-a-world-without-disease-uw-professor-says/. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.

Image Sources:

[1] Tarantula by Robert Lang - OrigamiArt.Us. https://origami-art.us/instructions/180-tarantula-by-                robert-lang. Accessed 14 Apr. 2021.
[2] “Models of an Origami Stent Graft That Can Be Used in the Treatment Of...” ResearchGate,                      https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Models-of-an-origami-stent-graft-that-can-be-used-in-the
            treatment-of-oesophageal-cancer_fig1_248556047. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.
[3] Service, Robert F. “This Protein Designer Aims to Revolutionize Medicines and Materials.” Science     | AAAS, 18 July 2016, https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/07/protein-designer-aims-            revolutionize-medicines-and-materials.




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