Professor Clark Addis earned bachelor’s degrees in Studio Art and Mechanical Engineering from Lafayette College and later earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. His doctoral research established a generalizable method for determining the stretching present in non-Euclidean curved-crease origami systems. This framework could enable functional materials to be integrated into inversely designed structures. His future research will focus on bridging the gap between origami theory and physical experiments. Planned projects include investigating stretching in curved-crease origami, embedding sensing and actuation into origami structures, and developing rigid-origami systems with low-friction hinges.
In 2024, Professor Addis was selected for an NSF–AFRL internship and received the Magoon Excellence in Teaching Award, which recognizes outstanding teaching assistants in Purdue University’s College of Engineering. As a Lambert Teaching Fellow, he served as the instructor of record for Basic Mechanics II in Fall 2025 and continued in that role as a Perry Teaching Fellow in Spring 2026.
Professor Addis seeks to foster a supportive learning environment for LGBTQ+ students and people of other historically marginalized identities. He believes that learning by doing helps students build community, take ownership of course material, and develop confidence in their abilities. He also emphasizes communication and presentation skills as essential components of engineering education. These principles support his broader mission of educating engineers who are capable of hearing others and making themselves heard.
Publications
Michalaros, D., Addis, C.C., Rincon, J., Tinsley, C., Tinsley, K., Pundik, M., Rojas, S., and Arrieta, A.F. “Origami Structures Stiffened with Bistable Spring Systems.” Materials & Design (in press, 2025).
Michalaros, D., Addis, C.C., Rincon, J., Tinsley, C., Tinsley, K., Pundik, M., Rojas, S., and Arrieta, A.F. “Design and Aeroelastic Analysis of a Radially Foldable Multistable Wing with Hinged Flaps Stiffened with Origami Inclusions.” AIAA Paper 2025-0056, 2025.
Addis, C.C., Rojas, S., and Arrieta, A.F. “Connecting the Branches of Multistable Non-Euclidean Origami by Crease Stretching.” Physical Review E (2023).
Addis, C.C., Koh, R. S., and Gordon, M.B. “Preparation and Characterization of a Bio-based Polymeric Wood Adhesive Derived from Linseed Oil.” International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives (2020).
Presentations
“A Method for Folding Non-Euclidean Curved Crease Waterbomb Reflectors,” Functionality through Nonlinearity (FTN), King’s College, London (2025)
“Bio-Inspired Functional Multistable Origami,” Trailblazers in Engineering Future Faculty Workshop, West Lafayette, Ind. (2025)
“Non-Euclidean Origami as a Path Towards Inverse Design,” APS Global Physics Summit, Anaheim, Calif. (2025)
“Modeling of Origami Curved Surfaces With Stiffened Membranes for Deployable Robot Wings,” SMASIS Conference, Atlanta, Ga. (2024)
“Origami-Inspired Camber Design in Rigidized Membrane-Like Wings,” APS March Meeting, Minneapolis, Minn. (2024)
“Modeling of Origami Curved Surfaces for Deployable Robot Wings,” Gordon Research Conference Poster Session, Ventura, Calif. (2024)
“Connecting the Branches of Multistable Non-Euclidean Origami Using Crease Stretching,” APS March Meeting, Las Vegas, Nev. (2023)
“Inverse Design of Bio-Inspired Origami,” Industrial Advisory Committee, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. (2022)
“Connecting the Branches of Multistable Non-Euclidean Origami Using Crease Stretching,” Society of Engineering Science Annual Technical Meeting, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (2022)
“Design Optimization of 3D Printed Self-Heating Shape Memory Polymer,” Senior Capstone Poster Session, Lafayette College, Pa. (2019)
“Wind Turbines That Last Longer: Understanding the Failure of E-glass Fiber Composites,” Havens Award Series, Lafayette College, Pa. (2019)
“Optimization of a Novel Flaxseed Oil Wood Adhesive,” Undergraduate Research Symposium, Lafayette College, Pa. (2018)
- PHY 103: General College Physics I
- PHY 104: General College Physics II
- EPHY 213: Engineering Design and Process
- PHY 311: Analytical Mechanics
- EPHY 312: Engineering Mechanics