I’m with tef, who is going to tell you something you might not know about origami. Tef, take it away. I’d like to tell you about a piece of origami, that’s in space. Now, space satellites, they have solar panels and solar panels need to unfold. You might imagine a piece of paper slowly unfolding. Unfortunately, to unfold most solar panels, you need two motors. One to pull it this way, and one to pull it up this way. But, Japanese astrophysicists realised that you could probably do it with one motor instead, and what he came up with was this. He could take a solar panel and unfold it with one motor all the way out. Not only that, he can also fold it all the way back in. How this actually works is, you fold the piece of paper into fifths, like so, admittedly I am making it look easy, and then what you do, is you fold it over repeatedly, almost making a snake all the way up such that there’s a a little bit of an angle all the way up. But what this means is that this piece of paper can fold down far more compactly and far more quickly than your traditional folding. Now this actual fold is called the Miura fold and it’s also used outside of solar panels. It’s actually been recently tested with lithium ion batteries because it folds down so compactly it improves the energy density. But that’s not the reason why I love this. Not because it’s gone into space but because it works so well for maps. You can take a map out of your pocket, instantly unfold it, see exactly where you are, and instantly fold it back up again. And no other fold, I know for maps, can do this thing. So despite being an amazing piece of origami that’s gone into space, it’s actually the most useful piece of origami I know down here on earth. [Subtitles: GC
Translating these subtitles? Add your name here!]
Very much appreciate the videos. Keep up the good work!
and that, is something I need to master.
That's very interesting! Now all I need to do is learn how to make that fold…
I love all of your videos. They are all really interesting!
Your voice is back already? Grats.
really wish I'd known about this when I used to use maps, before gps became common practice. still good to know tho
I recognise that place, it's the downstairs of the London hackspace!
Very ingenious! Why don't all map makers fold their maps like this?
You can fold a map!
Or you know… Make a better battery that can power your phone from which you can use the maps application for longer?
Who still uses maps. Thanks to those satellites we have GPS
If you're gonna be look at anything origami, it'd be cool to learn some more about paper aeroplanes.
Oh man, is that the LHS?!
Wow. Wish I knew about this back when paper was more popular.
Was this taken in the London Hackspace?
I tried this out and somehow got it to work. Pretty cool. Although I think it works best if the paper has a certain aspect ratio?
Shared!Β
Maps aren't really a thing anymore though…
Ooh, something I actually did know!
That's far more useful than my starboxes my mom never wants…
Shame no one really needs paper maps anymore.
Didn't know that there's a british Mchael from vSauce.
Had to be the japanese. π
And it will be much more accurate and up to date than apple maps.
If only all maps came prefolded like that
OS need to be all over this, it's great!!!
So you're telling me they make maps on paper? Sound absurd.Β
i used to subscribe to a monthly origami magazine but they folded
You should have let Tef go to the Bathroom before starting to record. I got seasick just from watching the poor guy constantly stepping back and forth.
Pity all the maps are pre-folded!
if anyone would still use paper maps that is…
Brilliant!
The map fold is great but when I tried in on Google maps it just cracked the screen π
What's a map?
That man's sweatshirt – I want one
Ewww… real maps.
Oh yeah maps. I remember those.
Just saw this on the latest episode of QI and though I'd come and rewatch this vid.
He looks like he really needs a piss
Now we know the QI researches watch this channel.
Does anyone else find it annoying when people close their eyes for longer than a blink when they are explaining things? As if they are saying, "why do I have to explain this?"
This was just on an episode of QI.
Tom should sue.
Neat.
This was on QI the other week. I bloody hate QI. Hi tef!
pardon the pun but with all those joints would it be "space" efficient would there be any room for the panels and wiring?
This was on QI some time ago.
Origami rulz
So, he doesn't explain what he's doing after the "snake" fold, but it's actually really important. If you tried this and found that yours didn't work at all, either watch that part closely or find another video that explains it. Once you know that last step, it's actually pretty easy to do – got it on my first try!
What is this about putting a map on a piece of paper. Truly revolutionary!
He looked a bit tired and emotional
He is looking kind of angry for some reason
I don't know if you answer questions or take request, but I have wondered for a while why the * is used as a wildcard that can represent any string.
For those who don't know because the video didn't explain. In space they use centripetal force to open and close the solar sails with the Miura fold.
Is that something I might not have known. You didn't say it.
what is a map
And it would still end up a crumpled ball like ever other piece of paper that' ever entered my pockets…
Wow that was really cool.
It's much harder to make origami outside of space. π
This only a joke: no one is meant to be hurt by this: this is only a joke:….
Oh, the poor poor man. He still uses PAPER maps…..
Actually that map unfold was quite impressive.
Why would you print out google maps like that?! Why not just use your phone…
because paper science https://vimeo.com/151504441
my map folds up so compact it fits in a bunch of ones and zeros.
When did Michael from vsauce get a British accent?
Yea, but who uses maps anymore?
This would be cool if it wasn't next to impossible to fold correctly.
I'm in love with Tef!
Who even uses maps?
Tef is kinda cute :3
Of course it was Japanese astrophysicists that came up with space-origami! π
this is the video that made me want to do engineering
I might need to try this the next time I go skiing.
200th comment
Great, now if only that would work on my phone.
Have all these map haters never been to Disneyland?
Was this filmed in Nottingham Hackspace?
is it just me or does that guy look and sound like the Kid from the UK comedy 'My Family'?
Why not use a phone?
i was expecting to see an astronaugh do origami, learnt a map trick instead
1:27 yeah but you got creases on the map now
cool
What is this… "map" you are talking about?
To bad there isn't a little pocket sized computer with billions of maps that don't need folding.
They didn't explain that you need an even number of folds in the second part for that to work. The other guy didn't interest me with what he said. The fold isn't really special at all for other uses.
he's wearing a code club t-shirt. i go to a code club π
or am i ???????????
WOW!
When it comes to map-folding, I prefer Falk…
Great
did it, loved it
I'd appreciate a Miura fold tutorial.
I thought that was Michael Stevens
ooh arhh i bet hes got a shiny combine harvester do you think i could have the key?
That seems closely related to the folds in old camera bellows, except that the angled folds alternate in direction so the overall shape when partly folded is a zigzag rather than a closed square.
I stopped uploading youtube videos cos noone is engaging with them π
fold the map? nope
I got 2 ads before this.
Someone watched QI
Teffry
I learnt about this sort of thing when I saw the Great Big Story on Robert Lang