Mário de Araújo

Fibre Science: understanding how it works and speculating on its future   Fibrous Materials Research Group, University of Minho, Portugal

Biography

Mario de Araujo is Senior Professor (retired) at the University of Minho, Portugal and his main research interests are in fibrous materials and product design.

Abstract

Fibres are very versatile materials used in many technical applications as well as apparel and fashion. Their mechanical properties are very interesting as they may exhibit very high tensile properties but very low bending and torsional rigidities.  This, together with their high specific surface area and low density enables them to have superior performance in many high tech applications. This paper attempts to explain why strong materials have to be slender and fibre like and how fibre assemblies can be designed with controlled anisotropy. Advances in biotechnology, nanotechnology and computer science may enable the design and manufacture (growth) of very advanced fibres, fibre assemblies and fibrous products just by miming nature’s natural selection process.