MIT associate professor of architecture Skylar Tibbits discusses how granular convection can deliver individualized performance in the midsole of a running shoe.

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MIT's Self-Assembly Lab is developing running shoe midsoles that use granular convection — the 'Brazil nut effect' — to self-customize over time. By filling the midsole with particles of varying sizes and stiffness, the shoe evolves through normal use: softer, larger particles rise to the top for cushioning while stiffer, smaller particles sink toward the outsole for support. The system is tuned to adapt over roughly 20,000 steps (about a marathon's worth). Key advantages include democratizing customization beyond elite athletes, enabling performance adaptation as a runner's needs change, and maintaining standard mass-production processes. Future applications include adaptive packaging, wheelchair cushions, and resettable/reusable shoe configurations for different terrain types.

3 Questions: A running shoe that adapts to the runner