What happened
Researchers have developed an AI system that can design complex kirigami structures much faster than before. This system can create precise cutting patterns for these foldable materials in minutes, ready for manufacturing.
Why it matters
Designing kirigami structures, which are materials cut to fold into specific 3D shapes, has been a slow, manual process. This AI tool automates the design, making it possible to rapidly prototype and manufacture these materials. This means engineers can quickly test many different designs for things like deployable solar panels or medical devices, speeding up innovation in metamaterials.