•An experimental and numerical investigation is conducted on a new type of folded tubular arch.•A common geometric description is developed between three types of tubular arches.•A numerical study shows the double-kite arch developed in this paper has the highest failure load.•This is the first investigation into the structural performance of rigid-foldable tubular arches.Several types of tubular, origami-inspired plate mechanisms have been proposed for use as meta-materials and deployable structures. However, research into mechanical properties of these mechanisms is limited to rectilinear forms. This paper investigates the structural feasibility of non-rectilinear rigid-foldable cellular materials for application as deployable arch structures. An experimental and numerical investigation is first conducted on a new type of folded tubular arch, with failure contributions identified from hinge rotation and plate buckling failure mechanisms. A common geometric description is then developed between three different types of origami-inspired tubular arches, which are numerically investigated under three-point loading. The double-kite arch developed in this paper is seen to have the highest failure load.

The dynamic spreading of giant liposomes on anisotropically patterned substrates is investigated experimentally on vertically fixed spreading substrates. The giant liposomes are prepared through electroformation method. The substrates with anisotropic grooves on the surfaces are fabricated on silicon wafers by photolithography and dry etching. The gravitational force of giant liposomes is negligible. The spreading is investigated dynamically, and the evolution of the contact radius, specifically in the directions parallel and perpendicular to grooves, is traced. The effect of surface patterns on spreading is studied and the anisotropy in spreading behaviors is characterized by the contact angle difference and liposome elongation.Graphical abstractHighlights► This work provides a new method to study liposome shape transformation behaviors. ► Characterization of the evolution of liposome shapes with time is enabled. ► Effect of surface patterns is studied, which lays a foundation for further studies.