Work

Shape-morphable origami electromagnetic waveguides

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Electromagnetic waveguides are widely used in spacecraft, naval, electrical, and communication systems for transferring microwave energy. Conventional designs are typically rigid and bulky, offering little shape adaptability. This limits their use in confined spaces or systems requiring compact storage and high adaptability. Here we report highly shape-morphable origami electromagnetic waveguides that fold, deploy, and change shape. Inspired by origami folding techniques, including shopping bags and bellows designs, these waveguides demonstrate low-loss, robust microwave energy transmission in numerical and experimental studies. Results demonstrate that highly shape-morphable electromagnetic waveguides may effectively replace rigid counterparts including straight, twisted, and bent waveguides. This research employs a combined analytical and experimental framework to study the kinematics and mechanics of key geometries, particularly rectangular straight and twist bellows designs, offering rigorous structural design guidance. Engineering advancements and fundamental studies in this work lay the foundation for future adaptive microwave energy delivery waveguides.

Source: Communications Engineering

DOI: 10.1038/s44172-025-00539-7

Authors: Nikhil Ashok, Sangwoo Suk, Sven G. Bilén, Xin Ning

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Pennsylvania State University

Language: English

Topic: Microwave Engineering and Waveguides

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,190

Funders: Pennsylvania State University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Division of Materials Research