University of Akron’s Dr. Michelle S. Hoo Fatt Receives CenTiRe Research Funding for Groundbreaking Tire NVH Research

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Michelle S. Hoo Fatt, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Akron, has been awarded research funding through the Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe) for her proposal titled:

“Modal Testing of Cords for NVH Applications”

Submitted under CenTiRe’s Testing Thrust Area and approved for a 2-year duration, Dr. Hoo Fatt’s research will address a critical challenge in the tire industry: accurately characterizing the dynamic mechanical properties of tire cords for use in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) simulations.

Traditional dynamic mechanical analyzers (DMA) are optimized for bulk materials—not the unique structural characteristics of tire cords. These cords, which play a vital role in the vibration response and modal behavior of rolling tires, require longer test specimens and higher frequency capabilities than standard commercial equipment can offer.

Building on findings from a previous CenTiRe project, Dr. Hoo Fatt’s new work aims to design a specialized test apparatus that overcomes limitations in current DMA technology. This custom solution will:

· Accommodate longer cord specimens to ensure realistic fiber-on-fiber interaction,

· Support higher load capacities for testing stiff materials like aramid hybrids,

· Enable high-frequency testing (≥1kHz) without relying on time-consuming time-temperature superposition techniques.

The outcome of this project is expected to significantly improve test reliability, reduce testing time, and provide valuable data for enhanced tire NVH modeling and simulation.

CenTiRe is proud to support this innovative research, which exemplifies the spirit of academic-industry collaboration driving the future of tire technology.