After smartphones here comes a future tech smart paper.

This smart paper can fold or flatten at your command. A low cost technology has been developed by Scientists that allows a simple piece of paper to bend, fold or flatten itself, it simply springs up to life like a flower.

Technology

The technology involved in this marvel can be defined by term actuation. A very thin layer of thermo-plastic conductor is applied to common paper with an in-expensive 3D printer or alternatively painted by hand. This serves as a low-cost, reversible actuator.
Now when an electrical current is applied to this piece of coated paper theermo-plastic heats and expands, causing the paper to bend or fold. When the current is turned off, the paper returns to a pre-determined shape.

Lining Yao, assistant professor at Carnegie Melton University in US said “Actuation” truly turns paper into another medium, one that has both artistic and practical uses,”

Uses

Scientists have been able to design basic types of actuators taking inspiration from art forms of origami and kirigami. These enable the creation of structures that can turn themselves into balls or cylinders. Now the other possibilities are many and they can also be used to construct more elaborate objects, such as a lamp shade that changes its shape and controlling the light it emits, or an artificial mimosa plant with leaf petals that sequentially open when touched.

The possibility will be endless, once it is further explored and fine tuned.