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Why does paper fold so well?

Answering your questions about life, Earth and the universe

Haruka has been making origami cranes out of paper since she was a child, but creating one out of a cloth napkin was a next-level challenge. It gave her a new appreciation of paper’s excellent foldability, and made her wonder: what is it about paper that makes it remember its creases?

CrowdScience sets out to unfold her question, armed with an array of paper products. We peer into paper’s microscopic structure, test different materials’ foldability, and discover how folding paper gives it exciting new properties.

Presented by Caroline Steel
Produced by Cathy Edwards for the 91¸£ÀûÉç World Service

Release date:

27 minutes

On radio

Friday 19:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Friday 19:32GMT
  • Next Monday 01:32GMT
  • Next Monday 04:32GMT
  • Next Monday 08:32GMT
  • Next Monday 12:32GMT

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