2D-to-3D transformation of ring origami via snap-folding instabilities

Abstract: Shape-morphing structures have been intensively researched for a wide range of engineering applications, including multi-modal soft robots and property-programmable metamaterials, owing to their ability to change shape and size in response to external stimuli. Ring origami, consisting of closed-loop rods, is a class of shape-morphing structures that undergo shape transformation through folding enabled by snap-buckling instabilities. Previous studies have shown that 2D ring origami composed of rod segments with in-plane natural curvature (i.e., the stress-free curved state lies in the plane of the planar ring) can achieve diverse and intriguing 2D-to-2D shape transformations. Here, we propose a 2D-to-3D shape transformation strategy for ring origami by introducing out-of-plane natural curvature (i.e., the stress-free curved state lies in a plane perpendicular to the planar ring) into the rod segments. Due to natural curvature-induced out-of-plane bending moments, a 2D elastic ring spontaneously snaps out-of-plane and reaches equilibrium in a 3D configuration. These snapping-induced out-of-plane shape transitions not only enable self-guided, spontaneous shape morphing, but also allow the construction of complex structures from simple geometries, making them promising for the design of functional deployable and foldable structures. By combining a multi-segment Kirchhoff rod model with finite element simulations and experiments, we systematically investigate the 3D equilibrium states and transition behavior of these systems. We demonstrate that by rationally designing the out-of-plane natural curvature of rod segments, the rings can exhibit a range of functional behaviors, including spontaneous 2D-to-3D shape transformation (e.g., planar square to sphere) via snap-folding, multistable 3D configuration transitions, and compact monostable zero-energy 3D configurations.