Mechanical Engineering
College of Science and Engineering
Twin Cities
Award Year
2021
University Award
McKnight Land-Grant Professorship
From Filaments to Fabrics – Hierarchical Innovations in Multifunctional Textiles for Enhanced Human Health
Multifunctional yarns and fabrics are crucial to revolutionizing medical devices, rehabilitation equipment, and wearable technologies that provide life-saving and life-enhancing interventions. However, little is understood about the effect of material processing, yarn manufacturing, textile design, and system integration on multifunctional textile performance. Abel’s research aims to derive material and structural models, establish advanced manufacturing techniques, and develop innovative design processes to enable advancements in current applications while opening the door to applications not yet imagined.