A young engineering student has discovered a new family of intricate origami patterns that are helping to invent new tools and technologies. Zhongyuan Wang, a sophomore at Brigham Young University, has created an entirely new class of origami designs that can be folded into unique shapes and expanded to create compact satellite arrays or microtechnologies.
Wang’s discovery was made possible by combining inquiry, ingenuity, and persistence with patience. His design features a “bloom” formation that is aesthetically pleasing and offers multiple applications for science and technology. The pattern is made from a single sheet of paper and can be folded flat before expanding radially to create its signature shape.
The discovery was co-authored by Wang and two other researchers, Professor Larry Howell and mathematical theorist Robert Lang. Their work has been published in a scientific journal and points to an “infinite number of possibilities” for the origami design.
Lang notes that Wang’s creations are not only functional but also beautiful, saying they would be at home in a museum. This interplay between art and science highlights the importance of innate curiosity and inventiveness in scientific innovation.
The discovery underscores the idea that creativity is essential for finding inner artists in every discipline. Wang’s passion for origami and desire to use it to create practical applications that benefit the world demonstrate his ability to cultivate this skill.
By exploring new forms of artistic expression, scientists like Wang can push the boundaries of what is possible and unlock innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Source: https://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/the-monitors-view/2025/0822/Is-it-art-Or-science-Yes