Compliant polymer origami bellows in cryogenics

Mechanical applications for polymers at cryogenic temperatures are extremely limited due to decreased atomic mobility and ductility, resulting from glass transitions above the regime (<120 K). As such, polymeric materials known cracking low fatigue life. Crumpling polymer films has been historically researched as a mechanism bypass this brittleness mechanical actuation, but characterization of life cyclical crumpling 77 K determined that shatter after few cycles. To improve upon performance, we fabricated thin-film origami bellows with Yoshimura Kresling geometries primarily restrict strain below elastic limit. We found survived 100 full compression extension cycles by submerging in liquid nitrogen during testing: no tears or pinholes were detected following dye penetrant procedure. These results indicate restricting modes via structures could be applicable range technologies useful storage bladders, expandable seals, positive displacement fluid pumps, flexible electronics.