Dr. Tim Chen’s MIRO work encompasses modelling and design of knit architectures. Knitted fabrics are increasingly important for space applications, offering lightweight, flexible solutions for satellites, thermal insulation, and advanced space suits.
Known for their mechanical toughness, resilience, and flexibility, knitted textiles pose unique modeling challenges due to their entangled, hierarchical architecture. Dr. Chen has developed a comprehensive experimental and computational framework integrating finite element modelling and energy-based homogenization to predict how stitch length, pattern geometry, and yarn material properties govern the anisotropic mechanical behavior of knitted fabrics.
https://www.egr.uh.edu/news/202504/mae%E2%80%99s-chen-softens-hard-sciences-new-research-knitting