Origami Science: Unfolding Nature’s Secrets at ISEF

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of folding paper into intricate artistic shapes, has long captivated artists and engineers alike. However, Hikaru Kuribayashi, a seventeen-year-old student from Japan, argues that nature mastered this complex discipline long before human hands ever picked up a sheet of paper. Hikaru contends that Mother Nature has independently evolved her own sophisticated paper-folded structures within the natural world. To demonstrate this fascinating parallel, Hikaru picks up a delicate model of a ladybug wing and carefully unfolds it until the structure lies completely flat. This seemingly simple action reveals the underlying geometric complexity of the organism. With this discovery, the teenager has developed a novel mathematical method to model every possible movement that these folded biological structures can make.

For this significant scientific achievement, Hikaru received the prestigious George D. Yancopoulos Innovator Award and a prize of $100,000 on May 15. He is a student at Sapporo Kaisei Secondary School in Japan. Hikaru was named a finalist in the 2026 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, commonly known as ISEF. This annual competition, which has been held since 1950, was created by the Society for Science, an organization that still organizes the event and publishes its associated magazine. In addition to the major innovator award, Hikaru’s research won first place in the physics category, earning him an additional $6,000. His victory highlights the growing importance of interdisciplinary approaches that combine biology, mathematics, and engineering.

Hikaru’s new understanding of origami geometry can help engineers replicate many designs found in nature. Consider how a leaf unfurls from a tight bud in the spring. Those leaves often follow a famous origami pattern known as Miura-ori. This same geometric pattern is frequently utilized in modern architecture and engineering projects, such as solar panel arrays for satellites and foldable structures for space exploration. By understanding the natural rules that govern these folds, engineers can create more efficient and resilient designs.

Previously, engineers relied on a math-heavy approach to model shapes and their movements. This traditional method involved identifying every potential shape a structure could take and then calculating every arc and trajectory that its moving parts could follow. Hikaru explains that this older method only traces one specific motion at a time. It does not account for all possible motions that a flexible object might make under varying conditions. Consequently, these models often fail to predict how structures behave in the dynamic real world, particularly when materials are subjected to stress or irregular forces.

To illustrate the limitations of this approach, Hikaru unfolds the ladybug wing model again. This time, he twists the structure back and forth as he opens it. This action temporarily warps the material, changing its shape in complex, non-linear ways. Current modeling techniques cannot account for all such warps in soft or hyper-flexible real-world materials, he says. These older methods were too rigid to handle the complexity of nature’s designs, which often involve multiple degrees of freedom and subtle interactions between folds.

But Hikaru’s new approach is fundamentally different. He uses a probability-based method that can handle these complex movements by analyzing the entire space of possible configurations. He points to the creases and dotted indentations left behind by the folds of the insect-wing model. With just these dots and lines, Hikaru says he can model every possible motion this wing can make. He adds that he can apply the same technique to analyzing the motion of birds or any mechanism that can be expressed as dots and lines. This allows for a much more accurate simulation of how these structures behave in the real world, providing engineers with a powerful new tool for design.

Why might anyone need Hikaru’s new tool? Imagine looking at a leaf with very obvious folds. Someone might wonder if they could just copy those creases to build a new machine. Not easily, Hikaru says. Even something as relatively simple as a leaf has a lot going on inside its structure. Unfold an actual ladybug wing and you will find it is full of intricate creases. Its numerous convolutions make many types of movement possible. These small details allow the wing to fold efficiently and open fully without breaking. Using his innovative approach, Hikaru says, could help engineers design powerful new technology inspired by nature. This technology could include flexible robots, deployable solar panels, or advanced medical devices that need to move in complex ways.

The 2026 Regeneron ISEF featured many other talented students from around the globe. Lakshmi Agrawal, eighteen, of Bellevue, Washington, and Nikola Veselinov, seventeen, of Sofia, Bulgaria, each took home Regeneron Young Scientist Awards. They each received a prize of $75,000 for their groundbreaking work. These teens also placed first in their specific divisions at the fair. This extra recognition earned each of them another $6,000. Their achievements demonstrate the diverse range of scientific inquiry possible at the high school level, from pure mathematics to environmental chemistry.

Nikola came up with a new mathematical theorem. A theorem is a statement in mathematics that is proven true through logic. Once a theorem is proven, it does not change. It becomes a permanent part of mathematical knowledge. Nikola’s theorem outlines certain conditions that would make an equation unsolvable using elementary math functions. This finding helps mathematicians understand the limits of basic calculations and where more advanced methods are required. By defining these boundaries, Nikola’s work provides a clearer roadmap for future research in abstract algebra and number theory.

Lakshmi invented a special sponge that soaks up a chemical called 6PPD-quinone from river water. This chemical is toxic to fish and poses a serious threat to aquatic life. Around Puget Sound in Washington state, the poison kills many adult salmon before they can lay their eggs. This threat to fish populations also poses a risk to people, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The health department warns that the chemical can enter the human food chain or water supply. The pollutant comes from vehicle tires. As tires wear down from driving on roads, they release tiny particles of rubber. These particles contain a chemical called 6PPD. This chemical is added to tires to prevent them from cracking and aging too quickly. However, when 6PPD is released into the environment, it can react with ozone and other air pollutants. This reaction produces the quinone form of the chemical, which is far more dangerous. Each time it rains, runoff from the streets carries 6PPD-quinone into local waters. This happens regularly, leading to a continuous supply of the toxin in rivers and lakes.

Lakshmi created biodegradable nanocellulose sponges to clean up these polluted rivers. Her sponges are made from plant-based materials, which means they break down naturally over time. Her research shows that these sponges remove up to 80 percent of the 6PPD-quinone from the water. This is a significant improvement over existing cleanup methods. Using these sponges would cost 98 percent less than alternative cleanup techniques. Traditional methods often require expensive machinery or harsh chemicals that can harm the environment further. Lakshmi hopes her work will provide a quick and inexpensive way to clean the rivers and save wildlife, offering a sustainable solution to a pressing environmental problem.

Lakshmi, Nikola, and Hikaru were among 1,725 finalists from 65 nations or territories participating in the 2026 Regeneron ISEF. The fair is one of the largest and most prestigious science competitions for young scientists in the world. A host of other winners took home prizes this year. The total prize money distributed at the fair reached nearly $7 million. This funding supports the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators who will solve the complex problems of the future. Their work demonstrates that young people are capable of making significant contributions to science and engineering, even at a high school level. By recognizing these achievements, the competition encourages more students to pursue careers in STEM fields, fostering a global community of problem-solvers dedicated to advancing human knowledge and improving quality of life.