MIT Researchers Revived Three-Sided Zipper Concept

The team utilized 3D printing to modernize a 1985 invention capable of forming rigid or flexible shapes.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Materials Science

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting an interlocking geometric fastener mechanism on a solid background, symbolizing modular engineering technology. — MIT researchers have revived and modernized a 1985 three-sided zipper invention, enabling 3D printing of fasteners that transition between flexible and rigid states. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Would you use household items or equipment designed to adapt their shape and structure?

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have revived a three-sided zipper prototype originally invented by Bill Freeman in 1985. The team developed a digital design tool that enables the manufacturing of these unique fasteners via 3D printing.

Why it matters

The mechanism allows physical objects to seamlessly transition between flexible states and stiffer, structured shapes. This technology offers potential improvements in assembly speed and structural versatility for various mechanical applications.

The system supports four basic movement patterns: straight, arched, coiled, and twisted. The test mechanism withstood approximately 18,000 opening and closing cycles before structural failure occurred.

The players

Bill Freeman

He is the inventor who first proposed the three-sided zipper concept in 1985.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It is a world-renowned research university based in Cambridge that houses the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.

The details

Using PLA and TPU plastics, the researchers created a system that allows users to digitally design fasteners for production. A motorized attachment option exists for automatic operation, and the team successfully tested the design on a wrist cast and a robotic quadruped.

Bill Freeman invented the three-sided zipper prototype in 1985.
MIT researchers revived the zipper concept using modern tools in 2026.

The Big Picture

This research follows a pattern set by the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, which frequently bridges computational design with physical manufacturing. The development shifts the discipline toward modular, shape-changing structures that replace static assembly methods.

The technology could lead to the production of faster-assembling consumer goods like tents, which can be pitched in 1 minute and 20 seconds using the Y-zipper compared to 6 minutes for standard designs. Future versions may incorporate metal to enhance durability for everyday use.

The takeaway

The revival of this zipper concept demonstrates how modern digital tools can successfully re-evaluate overlooked historical inventions. Integrating such mechanisms into manufacturing may drastically reduce setup times for temporary structures.