Researchers at the École Polytechnique de Montréal have developed a new type of parachute based on the Japanese art of cutting and paper folding kirigami – a variation of origami. The parachute is easier and cheaper to produce, stabilises more quickly in a fall than conventional parachutes and is also more robust.
Incised pattern determines the properties of the parachute
The parachute consists of a round plastic film into which a self-contained kirigami pattern is cut, the scientists write in the study “Kirigami-inspired parachutes with programmable reconfiguration”, which has been published in the scientific journal Nature. The material is modified by folding and cutting to give it different mechanical properties, as the researchers explain the technique. The scientists used a laser cutting machine to obtain precise cuts. However, they believe that a similar result could also be achieved with punching. In both cases, the parachute can be made from a single piece, which simplifies production and makes it more cost-effective.
The pattern cut into the material by the researchers changes the properties of the plastic film so that it takes on the shape of an inverted bell in free fall, provided a weight or object is attached in the centre. A single suspension point is sufficient for this.
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Das Video von Nature zeigt und erläutert die Funktionsweise des Kirigami-Fallschirms.
Tests in simulations, in the wind tunnel and by dropping the parachute from a drone in the laboratory and in the field confirm that the Kirigami parachute stabilises its flight behaviour more quickly after being dropped than conventional parachutes. In addition, the parachute does not tip over. In principle, almost any drop angle is possible. Compared to conventional parachutes, the Kirigami variant follows “a strict ballistic trajectory”, which is easier to calculate, according to the researchers.
The parachute can also be scaled as required and thus adapted to different sizes and applications. The researchers see the parachute being used primarily where material needs to be dropped from drones or aeroplanes at low cost. This could include humanitarian aid, such as dropping food and medicine, but also the commercial delivery of goods. The use of the Kirigami parachute is also conceivable in the space sector.
The research team now wants to go one step further and use other Kirigami patterns to change the properties of the parachute. For example, the trajectory could be adapted depending on the payload.
(olb)
