Engineer wins CDC grant to design bio-inspired slip-resistant shoe outsoles

A mechanical engineer at George Mason University has received a $433,227 grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop shoe outsoles that resist slipping without wearing out quickly. Shaghayegh Bagheri, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing, is working on the project using bio-inspired composite materials, according to a university announcement.

Bagheri’s approach aims to build durable slip-resistance into the material itself, drawing on designs found in nature. The project is funded for one year, beginning in September 2026 and ending in late August 2027.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh will support the work by advising on experimental methods for assessing how the developed footwear wears compared with commercially available alternatives. The Pitt team will also collect friction data on floor surfaces, leading the data collection and processing while advising on analysis and interpretation of results.

The two teams plan to meet regularly throughout the project, including in person at least once per year. Pitt researchers will consult on data analysis, including statistical analysis, to determine whether differences in wear response are observed across shoe designs. The collaboration is intended to provide ongoing support during the data collection process.

The grant is an early-stage research award, and the announcement describes planned methods rather than results. No findings on the performance of the new outsoles have yet been reported, and any comparison with existing footwear will depend on the data collected during the funded period.

Subject of Research: Bio-inspired composite materials for durable slip-resistant footwear outsoles

Article Title: Bagheri developing footwear outsoles with durable slip-resistance properties using novel bio-inspired composite materials

Article References: Bagheri developing footwear outsoles with durable slip-resistance properties using novel bio-inspired composite materials. Original publication (Bibliographic details unavailable.)

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Keywords: slip-resistant footwear, shoe outsoles, bio-inspired materials, composite materials, mechanical engineering, George Mason University, University of Pittsburgh, CDC grant, friction, wear resistance, occupational safety, materials science