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Traditional origami patterns can be applied to pre-strained polystyrene (PSPS) sheets to create precisely fabricated three-dimensional shapes through self-folding. The basis of these folded shapes are the tessellated repeat units, comprising only a few faces and folds. Subtle modifications of the geometry of the patterns allows generation of many final shapes based on the same fundamental repeat unit. These subtle changes allow for variations in attributes like packing density or curvature. Further, self-folded PSPS sheets represent a novel kind of engineering material in which the mechanical properties depend on the fold pattern and the extent of folding . After folding, the adjacent hinges and faces of these structures differ from each other in thickness, temperature history, and orientation relative to loading directions. We seek to characterize the mechanical properties of self-folded, periodic structures to gain a better understanding of how to design and utilize them in engineering applications. Miura-ori patterns will be applied to PSPS sheets, which self-fold in response to infrared light absorption. Folded samples with a range of face sizes and pattern angles will be subjected to compressive testing. Modification of geometric parameters, along with exposure time to the infrared light, has a significant effect on orientation of faces relative to the direction of loading, which will allow control over the final shape and mechanical properties.
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