In these days of high-tech entertainment, does anyone still practice traditional activities like origami, a type of handicraft that involves the folding of paper? Origami is the Japanese name for an art that began in China 1,400 years ago. Not until fairly recently did it become regarded as an old-fashioned way to keep restless and high-spirited young children occupied. But it may come as a surprise to many that this ancient craft is now right at the cutting edge of scientific and technological progress.
在充斥高科技娛樂的今天，有人還會從事傳統活動，像是摺紙這種要折疊紙張的手工藝嗎？Origami 是一種藝術的日文名稱，它始於 1400 年前的中國。直到不久之前，它才開始被視為能夠讓躁動又精力旺盛的幼兒保持忙碌的一種老方法。但是，許多人可能會感到驚訝，這種古老的工藝現在正處於科技進展的最前端。
For one thing, origami is playing a leading role in medical research. Mechanical engineering professors at Brigham Young University in the U.S. are applying the methods of origami to the production of tiny instruments that can be used to perform surgical procedures inside the human body. The fact that they are extremely small has an added benefit: the tiny incisions required to insert them will heal as rapidly as a scratch on the finger. Elsewhere, scientists are working on other medical devices based on the techniques of origami. It may shortly be possible to construct tiny machines that can bend and change shape as they move around inside the body, adapting to whatever location they are used in. Before long, tiny machines built with the help of origami may be delivering drugs or rebuilding damaged body parts.
一方面，摺紙在醫學研究中扮演著重要角色。美國楊百翰大學的機械工程教授正在將摺紙方法應用在微型儀器的製造上這些微型儀器可用在人體內部進行外科手術。它們非常小的這項事實具有額外的優勢：置入它們所需的微小切口癒合時將可以像手指擦傷一樣快。在其他地方，科學家正在根據摺紙技術研究其他醫療器械。可能很快就會建造出在人體內移動時可摺疊、變形，依據使用位置不同而適應的微型機器。不用多久，借助摺紙原理所建造的微型機器也許就可以運送藥物或重建受損的身體部位。
The Transformers movie series features robots that can assemble themselves and change into different objects. Thanks to origami, this is becoming feasible in the real world now. Researchers at Harvard and MIT are making Transformer-type robots, though they are much smaller than the movie versions. They have designed folding materials to create a quick-witted robot that can move and turn by itself. In the future, robots like this one might be used to track down trapped earthquake victims or carry out assignments in dangerous environments such as the ocean depths.
《變形金剛》系列電影的特點在於可以組裝自己並變成不同物件的機器人。多虧有了摺紙技術，這在現實世界中逐漸變得行得通。哈佛和麻省理工學院的研究人員正在製造變形金剛類型的機器人，儘管它們比電影版來得小很多。他們已經設計出摺疊式材料，就為了打造一種機靈的機器人，可以自行移動和轉身。將來，像這樣的機器人也許可以用來追蹤受困的地震災民，或是在如海底深處的危險環境中執行任務。
Shape-shifting robots might be easy to imagine, but what about a shape-shifting building? Harvard scientists have come up with a new material that makes this a genuine possibility. Objects made from this material can collapse from a 3-D structure to a flat surface at the click of a button. This idea was inspired by an origami technique, and it can be used to construct objects of almost any shape.
變形機器人可能很容易想像，但是變形建築物呢？哈佛大學的科學家已經提出了一種能使這想法有成真可能性的新材料。只要按下按鈕，用這種材料製成的物體可以從 3-D 結構摺疊成平面。這個想法是受一種摺紙技術啟發的，而它可用來建造幾乎任何形狀的物體。
Believe it or not, origami techniques have already been employed in space technology, with folding mirrors and solar panels that help power space telescopes. The first such design was integrated in a Japanese satellite launched in 1995. And solar power is not the only application of origami in space. In the U.S., researchers are building a satellite with an inflatable mast that can unfold in a few seconds. Structures like these could be appropriate in a variety of space situations, for example connecting solar panels to satellites.
信不信由你，摺紙技術已經應用到太空科技中，包括可為太空望遠鏡供電的折疊鏡與太陽能電池板。第一個這樣的設計融入在 1995 年發射的一顆日本衛星中。太陽能並不是摺紙在太空中唯一的應用。在美國，研究人員正在打造帶有充氣桅杆的衛星，該桅杆可以在幾秒鐘內展開。像這樣的結構可能適用於太空中各式各樣的狀況，例如將太陽能電池板連接到衛星。
The basic methods of origami are being applied in everything from spaceships to tiny medical devices that move around inside our bodies. Obviously, there is a lot more to origami than making appealing works of art from pieces of paper. It is showing us how art and science can work together for the benefit of everyone.
摺紙的基本方法被應用於各式各樣的事物，從太空船到可以在我們人體內遊走的微型醫療儀器。顯然，摺紙遠不只是將紙張變成吸引人的藝術品。它正在向我們證明藝術與科學可以如何結合，為所有人謀福利。
- entertainment [͵ɛntɚˋtenmənt] n.
娛樂，消遣
For entertainment I watch movies on my computer and play online games. - entertain [͵ɛntɚˋten] v.
使歡樂，娛樂
George loves entertaining people and hopes to become a TV star someday. - handicraft [ˋhændɪ͵kræft] n.
手工藝（品）
We strolled through the market and bought some handicrafts from a stall. - fairly [ˋfɛrlɪ] adv.
相當地，一定程度地
Their house is fairly new. I think it was only built six years ago. - craft [kræft] n.
工藝，手藝
The skilled potter gave the visitors a demonstration of his craft. - engineering [͵ɛndʒəˋnɪrɪŋ] n.
工程設計，工程學
Denise is very interested in lab work and keen to study chemical engineering at university. - engineer [͵ɛndʒəˋnɪr] n.
工程師
This old bridge was built by the most skillful engineers of the 19th century. - insert [ɪnˋsɝt] v.
插入，嵌入
Where do I insert the batteries in this flashlight? - elsewhere [ˋɛls͵hwɛr] adv.
去別處，在別處
I'm tired of having lunch in the same place, so I'm going to eat elsewhere today. - technique [tɛkˋnik] n.
技巧，技術
Playing this game is great fun once you have mastered the basic techniques. - technical [ˋtɛknɪk!] adj.
專門的，技術性的
With her technical skills, I am sure Brenda will have no problem getting a job. - location [loˋkeʃən] n.
地點，位置
The restaurant is in a beautiful location overlooking the beach. - locate [loˋket] v.
使位於...
The company will locate its new hotel close to the center of the town. - feature [fitʃɚ] v.
以...為特色，主打...
There's a variety show on TV tonight that features your favorite band. - assemble [əˋsɛmb!] v.
組裝
I can't believe Susan assembled this amazing work of art from pieces of plastic garbage. - feasible [ˋfizəb!] adj.
可行的，可實行的
Robert suggested meeting at 7 a.m. tomorrow, but I don't think that idea is feasible. - version [ˋvɝʒən] n.
版本
The latest version of this computer game has some amazing new functions. - quick-witted [ˋkwɪkˋwɪtɪd] adj.
有急智的，機敏的
Diana's quick-witted response to the crisis impressed her bosses. - assignment [əˋsaɪnmənt] n.
任務，工作
I still haven't finished the assignment our English teacher gave us last Friday. - shift [ʃɪft] v.
變動，更換
Derek's opinion on the project has shifted, and he's in favor of it now. - genuine [ˋdʒɛnjʊɪn] adj.
真的，非偽造的
The look on Tammy's face implied she didn't think the diamond was genuine. - collapse [kəˋlæps] v.
摺疊；倒塌，坍塌
When you've finished with the tent, it collapses very easily and fits into this small bag.
The report says the building collapsed because it was badly constructed. - structure [ˋstrʌktʃɚ] n.
結構體，建築物；結構
The Eiffel Tower in Paris was the world's tallest structure for 41 years.
Scientists are examining the material to analyze its chemical structure. - employ [ɪmˋplɔɪ] v.
使用，利用；僱用
The scientists have employed the latest technology in studying the earth's atmosphere.
Mr. Wells, who has been employed here for 35 years, is retiring next week. - employment [ɪmˋplɔɪmənt] n.
職業，工作
After leaving school, Jethro found employment on a farm. - solar [ˋsolɚ] adj.
太陽的，日光的
Solar energy is both safe and renewable, so more and more countries are developing it. - panel [ˋpæn!] n.
嵌板，鑲板
Some of the wooden panels on the wall of Grandfather's study are very old. - telescope [ˋtɛlə͵skop] n.
望遠鏡
Through my friend's telescope I could see the International Space Station in the night sky. - satellite [ˋsæt!͵aɪt] n.
人造衛星
Nowadays, weather conditions are analyzed with the help of data from satellites. - launch [lɔntʃ] v.
發射
I heard that NASA will launch another rocket to Mars in the near future. - the cutting edge
領先位置
The university is at the cutting edge of medical research. It has recently developed some exciting new treatments. - for one thing
其一，一則
I can't give you a ride to the airport. For one thing, I don't have a car anymore. For another, I have an appointment tomorrow morning. - play a (...) role in
（在...）扮演（...的）角色
Dad said everyone in the family could play a role in deciding where to go on vacation. - track down
追蹤到，追查到
The police are using dogs to track down the missing children. - carry out
完成，執行
Peter reluctantly carried out the difficult task that his boss gave him.
