ORIGAMI played its part in improving space technology at NASA, and has now made its way to the engineering students at Darlington College.

Originating in Japan 500 years ago, the paper folding art is a way for engineers to design 3-D structures due to the material being cheap to use.

Rob Elliot, tutor at the college, said: “Origami is incredible at showing them how to follow instructions, in sequence, accurately. It is the ideal engineering exercise and helps them visualise in 3D what start as two dimensional plans.”

This idea of using origami for design was used by NASA to transport large solar devices into space in compact packages attached to satellites, where they can then be unfolded and put into use.

The students were also shown how origami plays a part in medical science with Nanoinjectors and gene therapy.

First year student Samuel Johnson, 16, of Stockton, said: “Origami is incredible and something I simply had not thought about before.

“I’m interested in green engineering and in making energy production pollution-free. I can already see how origami could be useful in modelling.”

Student Chhitij Singh, 16, of Catterick Garrison, added: “When I lived in Brunei I was in an origami club but hadn’t realised the full implications of paper folding to engineering which are amazing.

"I’m interested in aerospace and can certainly see how paper folding can be used in design. It will make me think differently in the future and help me visualise in 3D.”