Figure 4. Cube folding dynamics and octahedral conformations.

Two distinct folding dynamics during self-assembly were observed for cube nets: (A) net 5 follows pathway 1 and (B) net 3 follows pathway 2. Pathway 1 was characterized by independent folding of two clearly distinguishable sections of the net, which came together when the central hinge folded. Nets following pathway 2 have different folding rates for different sections of the net. Octahedron nets can fold into (C) non-convex boat-shaped or (D) regular octahedra.