Beyond the loom

Qian's expertise in textile structures also led her far beyond traditional craftsmanship.

At age 20, she was invited to collaborate with a hospital in Shanghai on the development of artificial blood vessels. To achieve the required fiber structures, she spent evenings and weekends researching and refining designs. Eventually, using silk as the primary material, she "wove" China's very own artificial blood vessel.

The project pushed her to study textile engineering, materials science and structural mechanics. She compared the vessel wall to a thatched roof — capable of keeping rain out while still allowing air to pass through. In 1977, the second generation of textile artificial blood vessels successfully passed clinical trials, helping save countless lives.