Patent — available for licensing
Origami-based Deployable Fiber Reinforced Composites
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Inventors at the NASA Langley Research Center have developed a new UV (ultraviolet)-curable polymer carbon fiber composite and the origami-based deployable structures that are made from the new composite. The new composite and associated origami deployment system were developed for use in stronger, more reliable deployable space structures. These structures include beams for deployable habitats, booms, solar array frames, and antenna supports among others. The polymer shape memory effect allows the origami composite structures to be stored in a small, lightweight package and deployed on-site (i.e., in orbit, on the moon, etc.) through heating. The origami-based composite assemblies outperform other composite-based deployable structures in strength, are lighter than metals, are not susceptible to gas leaks like inflatable structures, and do not require motors to deploy.