Ude
Nitinol wire was used to actuate the arm as it forces its way back to its transformation shape after being heated. However, to achieve the transformation shape it had to be "taught." This process was accomplished by constructing a template out of wood and nails, the wire was then weaved into the template and heat treated at the points of inflection with a lighter. The metal wire was then quenched with a drop of water. The extreme changes in temperature caused the Nitinol wire to "remember" its new shape.
Training Nitinol
Three strands of Nitinol Wire was integrated with the origami tessellation design and secured using an adhesive tape. As the Nitinol expanded or contracted, the origami design would also stretch and shrink with the wire serving as a guide to ensure the wire moved linearly and for aesthetic purposes.
Paper and Nitinol Integration
The Nitinol Wire has high electrical resistance relative to other metals such as copper. The Nitinol was connected to five feet of copper wire and fed to the base where it was powered by two 9V batteries in series for a total of 18V. Since each additional load decreases resistance in a parallel circuit, a separate circuit was required for every strand of Nitinol.
Power Source
