Two dimensional (2D) materials with atomic-scale thickness like graphene exhibit substantial in-plane stiffness and strength while maintaining significant out-of-plane flexibility. This enables the assembly of graphene into complex multilayer and even three-dimensional (3D) structures through a unique combination of self-folding, self-tearing, and nearly frictionless self-propagation, all driven by interfacial energy. We call this phenomenon ‘graphene auto-kirigami’.

Auto-kirigami provides an innovative approach to potentially sculpting 2D materials into intricate micro/nanostructures. However, significant challenges exist in understanding and controlling it. To address this, we have probed graphene auto-kirigami with atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, continuum mechanics models, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We will present results toward our goal of developing a complete, atomistically-informed physical description of auto-kirigami formation in graphene-based systems.