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

By: Guowei (Wayne) Tu, University of Michigan and Evgueni Filipov, University of Michigan

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: October 27, 2025

Words: 965

Last Updated: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

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By Guowei (Wayne) Tu, University of Michigan and Evgueni Filipov, University of Michigan

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.

We are a team of structures and materials scientists at …

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