Researchers Turn Compressed Silk Into a Material Nearly as Strong as Kevlar
For centuries, natural silk has been known as the raw material for luxury fabrics and fine textile products. However, scientists have once again demonstrated that silk is not just a soft and shiny fabric.
Researchers from Tufts University, Imperial College London, and the University of Michigan have managed to transform silk fibers into a solid material without dissolving them or adding synthetic additives.
The silk fibers were combined without being dissolved.
In traditional methods used to transform silk into different forms, the fibers are typically dissolved and reprocessed. However, this process can result in the loss of some of the durability characteristics derived from silk's natural structure.
In contrast, the new method involves researchers processing the silk while directly preserving its fiber structure, instead of tearing it apart. The silk fibers were first aligned, then fused together under heat and pressure.
During this process, some areas within the structure of the fibers become mobile and are able to form bonds with neighboring fibers. As a result, the silk transitions from a fabric form into a harder, denser, and more durable solid material.
According to the researchers, the density, durability, and application area of the material can be adjusted by varying the temperature and pressure levels. Lower processing conditions result in a looser structure, while higher temperature and pressure yield a denser and stronger material.
Can be used in medical implants.
One of the most striking features of the new material is its biocompatibility. Researchers highlight that fused silk exhibits balanced and harmonious characteristics, making it suitable for use within the body.
Consequently, it is thought that this material could be utilized in medical implants in the future. Specifically, more durable and biologically compatible alternatives based on silk could be developed for fixation parts such as plates and screws used to support broken bones.
Moreover, it's not only in the medical field that the material could be evaluated, but also in advanced technology applications. Fused silk can exhibit transparency against visible light and can direct terahertz radiation. Due to these features, it holds potential for medical imaging, sensor technologies, and future communication systems.
Currently, researchers are working on making this method suitable for larger scale production and investigating how it can be used in different applications.
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