Kirigami on Shoes
New word alert!
New word alert!!
KIRIGAMI
Any ideas what that one means?
Engineers working on technological innovations from solar cells to stretchy electronics have drawn inspiration from the Japanese art of kirigami. The lesser-known cousin of origami, which involves cutting and folding paper, helps to create three-dimensional shapes from flat, paper-like materials or to add form-fitting flexibility.
Now scientists using kirigami have developed a new type of no-slip shoe sole that mimics the texture of snakeskin, reports Nicola Davis for the Guardian. The authors of the new research, published this week in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, say their innovation could help cut down on injuries from falls, particularly among older people.
Get this:
The grippy new sole is made of a thin sheet of steel that is riddled with precise cuts that allow it to bristle like the scales of a snake when bent, according to a statement from Harvard University about the new research. The kirigami-style cuts in the steel sheet allow it to transform from a smooth surface into a spiked sole ready to dig in for traction, and back again.
A steel sole. Wow! Stay off the gym floor!
Take a look at the video of this thing:
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt
