Woven baskets aren't just aesthetically pleasing. Research finds they're sturdier than stiff containers

Woven Baskets Are Sturdier and More Resilient than Stiff Containers. This Could Change How We Design Materials

Engineers at the University of Michigan are reimagining ancient basket weaving to design ultra-resilient materials.

Woven baskets aren't just aesthetically pleasing. Research finds they're sturdier than stiff containers

People have been using flat, ribbonlike materials, such as reed strips, to make woven baskets for thousands of years. This weaving method has reemerged as a technique for engineers to create textile and fabric structures with complex geometry. While beautiful and intricate, these baskets can also be surprisingly strong.

Woven baskets aren’t just aesthetically pleasing – materials science research finds they’re sturdier and more resilient than stiff containers

Woven fabric is resilient to stress because it tends to bend more than rigid materials before breaking. Jordan Lye/Moment via Getty ImagesPeople have been using flat, ribbonlike materials, such as reed strips, to make woven baskets for thousands of years. This weaving method has reemerged as a technique for engineers to create textile and fabric structures with complex geometry. While beautiful and intricate, these baskets can also be surprising…