2026 TCU Celebration of Philanthropy Program

Interactive Station Innovation in Orbit: Designs for NASA’s Future

Fashion met science recently as an interdisciplinary team from TCU won the 2025 Best Innovation Award at NASA’s Spaceflight Human Optimization Conference for their project, “ Innovation in Orbit: Optimized Suit Environmental Protection Garment Seams .” The team, advised by Dr. Charles E. Freeman, devel oped a “mutant seam” designed to prevent lunar dust from penetrating astronaut spacesuits. Utilizing Kevlar and Teflon, prototypes underwent rigorous simulations with lunar simulant dust, proving highly durable. NASA mentors are interested in integrating this technology into future Artemis mission space suits, and the team is exploring terrestrial applications for improved Personal Protective Equipment.

Dr. Charles E. Freeman Department Chair, Professor of Fashion Merchandising Director of Research and Creative Scholarship Initiatives College of Fine Arts Dr. Freeman brings a wealth of industry expertise

and research interests to TCU, focusing particularly on product development, cotton end-use and creative thinking processes. A distinguished leader in his field, he was named president-elect of the International Textile and Apparel Association for 2025. Beyond his academic roles, Dr. Freeman is an active entrepre neur, serving as the CEO of Humo, LLC and Humo.golf. Prior to joining TCU in 2024, he was an associate professor at Mississippi State University, specializing in textile and apparel research.