The method, called hydrogenation-assisted graphene origami (HAGO), was developed by a team from the University of Maryland. They created the origami box by first cutting the graphene into a pattern and then attaching hydrogen to the graphene’s carbon atoms. This functionalizes the graphene, causing it to spontaneously fold into the nanostructure box. Applying an electrical field to the box causes it to unfold, while releasing the field will allow the box to fold up again. 

The graphene boxes have proven to have incredible hydrogen storage capabilities, with a capacity of 9.7 percent by weight. This amount exceeds the targets set by the U.S. Department of Energy, which requires 7.5 percent by 2020.