About Our Founder
Alexander Gendell is a cosmopolitan designer, inventor, and innovator.
Alexander’s innovations in foldable structures are finding new applications in the aerospace ecosystem. Folditure is developing solutions for new lunar surface solar arrays and novel mechanisms for other future space applications and missions.
I love to constantly invent new solutions — and avoid repeating myself. I studied architecture because it is a field that merges invention, art, and engineering. There are so many challenges to resolve all the time; however, it comes down to having a great idea and overcoming all the obstacles to deliver the best possible end product.
On the lunar surface—and elsewhere—the Pyramid Hinge Array geometry yields a compact, lightweight solution for providing solar power
Lunar Solar Power
Using the pyramid hinge, Folditure started developing the Sunflake Solar Array in response to an SBIR solicitation from NASA for a 10 kW lunar vertical solar array. Size and functionality were paramount for this request, which was for a system that can autonomously deploy and retract for relocation as needed.
The arrays and deployment systems have been further developed under Phase I and II NASA SBIR contracts.
Going Big!
These innovations provide unique, origami-inspired solutions to provide solar power.
With our patented mechanisms, we can design exponentially larger re-deployable structures than are currently possible. While we are thinking small, we are thinking big—super compact and space-saving when folded but stable and large when deployed.
Folditure's patented pyramid hinge is a completely new folding mechanism that enables planar components to move in sync from a completely flat position to a structurally rigid 3-dimensional frame. It was originally designed for use in the Folditure line of furniture that can be easily folded in seconds with a perfectly flat, ultra-slim silhouette that can be hung in a closet when not in use.
From Furniture to Space
An interesting fact about Folditure's journey to space was on the set of the final episode of season one of the Star Trek Discovery series. The futuristic designs of the Folditure Leaf chairs and Cricket tables were a perfect fit to the setting.
