Bistable hinges for reprogrammable origami sheets

Multistable origami patterns have garnered increasing attention for their ability to transition between multiple stable configurations. This versatility has led to a wide range of applications, from mechanical logic systems to deployable shelters. Traditionally, multistability in origami sheets has mostly relied on crease patterns that involve stretching the creases or bending the faces during folding. In this study, we present a new approach to achieve multistability by incorporating buckled elastic shims at each crease. By selectively programming the state of the buckled elastic shims, we can reprogram the torque-angle profile of each fold, enabling transitions between mountain, valley, and locked states. This method allows for the creation of reprogrammable origami sheets capable of switching between various patterns, such as the Miura and Yoshimura pattern.