Geometric Folding Algorithms

Folding and unfolding problems have been implicit since Albrecht Durer in the early 1500s, but have only recently been studied in the mathematical literature. Over the past decade, there has been a surge of interest in these problems, with applications ranging from robotics to protein folding. With an emphasis on algorithmic or computational aspects, this intriguing treatment of the geometry of folding and unfolding presents hundreds of results and over 60 unsolved 'open problems' to spur further research. The authors cover one-dimensional objects (linkages), 2D objects (paper), and 3D objects (polyhedra). Aimed primarily at advanced undergraduate and graduate students in mathematics or computer science, this lavishly illustrated book will fascinate a broad audience, from students to researchers.