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Protein Gradient Films of Fibroin and Gelatine
Author(s) -
Claussen Kai U.,
Lintz Eileen S.,
Giesa Reiner,
Schmidt HansWerner,
Scheibel Thomas
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.201300221
Subject(s) - byssus , fibroin , polymer , biocompatible material , polymer science , materials science , composite material , modulus , chemical engineering , silk , biomedical engineering , mytilus , geology , medicine , oceanography , engineering
Gradients are a natural design principle in biological systems that are used to diminish stress concentration where materials of differing mechanical properties connect. An interesting example of a natural gradient material is byssus, which anchors mussels to rocks and other hard substrata. Building upon previous work with synthetic polymers and inspired by byssal threads, protein gradient films are cast using glycerine‐plasticized gelatine and fibroin exhibiting a highly reproducible and smooth mechanical gradient, which encompasses a large range of modulus from 160 to 550 MPa. The reproducible production of biocompatible gradient films represents a first step towards medical applications.