THERMAL PROCESSING OF SILK POLYMER COMPOSITE SYSTEMS
Abstract
The focus of this research is on the thermal processing of silk into new dense structural and functional materials. This thermal approach, or fusion of silk nanoparticles, is a departure from the decades of solution-based silk processing into new materials, offering a new path to improved logistics, improved mechanics and improved utility. The goal is to understand and optimize the thermal process to generate dense, protein-based systems, with control of structure, mechanics and bioactive functions, including the optimization of interfacial features between silk and additional components related to composite materials to modulate mechanical and biological properties. Key fundamental features to be explored include: the control of water throughout the processes involved from materials preparation to thermal processing and post processing materials stability, to understand how processing influences structure and mechanics, and to understand how bioactive components can be co-processed and stabilized to expand the structural materials into functionalized versions of new material systems. DoD relevance includes the generation of hard, dense silk-based materials for self-standing structural materials and applications, functionalized materials such as for surface decontamination, safety in drinking water and ruggedized bacterial cells related to sensors and other systems, and on demand construction and reuse of such systems in field deployable options, including 3D printing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2021
- Source ID
- FA95502010363
Entities
People
- David L. Kaplan
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Tufts University
- United States Air Force