meshworks

Meshworks refer to structures formed by interlaced strands that create a net-like framework. The term is used across disciplines to denote both physical constructions and abstract networks. A meshwork can be a lattice of fibers, wires, or sheets, or a network of interconnected elements in social, biological, or computational systems. The concept emphasizes connectivity, porosity, and the distribution of load or information.

Physical meshworks include metal or polymer meshes used for filtration, reinforcement, shading, or separation; textile meshes produced by weaving or knitting; and lattice structures in architecture and additive manufacturing. They can be regular, such as hexagonal or square grids, or irregular, with varying cell sizes and shapes.

In computing and graphics, a meshwork often refers to a mesh—a network of vertices, edges, and faces that models a 3D surface or volume. In network science, meshworks describe interconnected components forming complex systems such as communications, transportation, and biological interaction networks.

Design and analysis of meshworks focus on porosity, stiffness, and manufacturability. Engineers use simulation methods to study load paths, while designers optimize topology for strength and weight. In medicine, scaffold meshworks support tissue growth; in architecture, they enable lightweight structures; in computer graphics, meshes provide efficient rendering.