Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EPASS (Expanding the Properties of Artificial Spider Silk)
Période du rapport: 2023-09-01 au 2025-08-31
Spider silk is a material with remarkable biological and mechanical properties and for this reason can be used for many applications (e.g. biomedical, textile industry, soft electronics, and soft robotics). Unfortunately, the cannibalistic nature of spiders makes it impossible to harvest natural silk at large quantities, whereas artificial silk production has historically suffered from poor quality, low yields, and environmentally harmful protocols. Overcoming these limitations, at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences it has recently been developed a biomimetic spinning setup for generating high quality artificial silk fibers that uses water as the sole solvent and scales volume for economically feasible mass-production. Although remarkable, the fibers generated still require improved mechanical and electromagnetic properties to achieve their full potential in the envisioned biomedical and soft electronics applications.
By employing a unique combination of expertise in protein biochemistry and biotechnology with expertise in mechanical and materials engineering, this project aims to improve the mechanical and electric/magnetic properties of artificial silk fibers by spinning fibers from protein solutions containing carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles. After establishing an optimized spinning protocol for the introduction of nanomaterials, a new generation of modified silk fibers will be spun and analyzed morphologically, mechanically and electromagnetically, delivering a novel strategy for generating artificial silk fibers with custom-made properties that are highly needed in the area of soft electronics.
In summary, this project will integrate novel methodologies to create a new generation of scalable green materials with breakthrough potential in soft electronics and robotics, while simultaneously shaping a new research line - functionalized spider silk.
By employing a unique combination of expertise in protein biochemistry and biotechnology with expertise in mechanical and materials engineering, this project aims to improve the mechanical and electric/magnetic properties of artificial silk fibers by spinning fibers from protein solutions containing carbon nanotubes and magnetic nanoparticles. After establishing an optimized spinning protocol for the introduction of nanomaterials, a new generation of modified silk fibers will be spun and analyzed morphologically, mechanically and electromagnetically, delivering a novel strategy for generating artificial silk fibers with custom-made properties that are highly needed in the area of soft electronics.
In summary, this project will integrate novel methodologies to create a new generation of scalable green materials with breakthrough potential in soft electronics and robotics, while simultaneously shaping a new research line - functionalized spider silk.
During the EPASS project, we optimized the production protocols for bio-inspired artificial spider silk fibers by systematically screening hundreds of different spinning conditions and developing new methods for fiber fabrication. For each condition, we characterized the physical properties of the resulting fibers using tensile testing, light and scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.
Building on these results, we created a new generation of fibers with magnetic and/or electrical properties. To achieve magnetic functionality, we combined lab-produced artificial spider silk proteins with water-dispersed nanomaterials (magnetite nanoparticles). For electrical properties, we fabricated composite fibers by sputtering a metallic FeCo alloy onto the silk. This technique was also successfully applied to silkworm silk films, enabling the development of novel materials for flexible electronics.
In parallel, I contributed to studies on native spider silk, with the dual aim of better understanding its structure and production mechanisms to inform fiber design, and exploring how spiders mechanically interact with their silk, including cutting it using only physical means.
Throughout EPASS, I employed a wide range of experimental techniques, e.g. tensile testing, light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as analytical and numerical modeling to support and interpret our findings.
Building on these results, we created a new generation of fibers with magnetic and/or electrical properties. To achieve magnetic functionality, we combined lab-produced artificial spider silk proteins with water-dispersed nanomaterials (magnetite nanoparticles). For electrical properties, we fabricated composite fibers by sputtering a metallic FeCo alloy onto the silk. This technique was also successfully applied to silkworm silk films, enabling the development of novel materials for flexible electronics.
In parallel, I contributed to studies on native spider silk, with the dual aim of better understanding its structure and production mechanisms to inform fiber design, and exploring how spiders mechanically interact with their silk, including cutting it using only physical means.
Throughout EPASS, I employed a wide range of experimental techniques, e.g. tensile testing, light and scanning electron microscopy, as well as analytical and numerical modeling to support and interpret our findings.
The first key result obtained during EPASS is the optimization of fiber production protocols to fabricate high-performance artificial spider silk fibers (tougher than common synthetic polymer fibers) using only water as a solvent and operating at room temperature. This environmentally friendly method enables the production of artificial spider silk in large quantities, paving the way for the investigation of still-unresolved questions in the bio-based fiber community, such as structure–function relationships.
Addressing these questions will require further fundamental research into the mechanics and physics of protein chain networks. This knowledge is crucial for fine-tuning fiber properties and ultimately leveraging them for commercial applications. To support this research, I plan to apply for funding from the European Union and other relevant funding bodies.
The second major result achieved through EPASS is the creation of functionalized artificial spider silk fibers in a green and sustainable manner. The magnetic fibers we developed can be produced in bulk using water as the solvent and at room temperature. These fibers exhibit magnetic actuation capabilities that surpass those of commercially available polymers used for similar purposes.
However, a limitation of this advancement is that the magnetic fibers currently show lower mechanical performance compared to pristine silk fibers. This reflects a common challenge in the field of composites, where nanomaterials are often perceived as defects rather than reinforcing agents. Overcoming this issue will require targeted research to optimize the interface between the nanomaterials and the protein matrix. The key challenge lies in the fact that too strong an interaction between these components can lead to protein aggregation, rendering the spinning process unfeasible. Therefore, a balance must be struck between the water dispersibility of the nanomaterials and the spinnability of the protein solution.
Addressing these questions will require further fundamental research into the mechanics and physics of protein chain networks. This knowledge is crucial for fine-tuning fiber properties and ultimately leveraging them for commercial applications. To support this research, I plan to apply for funding from the European Union and other relevant funding bodies.
The second major result achieved through EPASS is the creation of functionalized artificial spider silk fibers in a green and sustainable manner. The magnetic fibers we developed can be produced in bulk using water as the solvent and at room temperature. These fibers exhibit magnetic actuation capabilities that surpass those of commercially available polymers used for similar purposes.
However, a limitation of this advancement is that the magnetic fibers currently show lower mechanical performance compared to pristine silk fibers. This reflects a common challenge in the field of composites, where nanomaterials are often perceived as defects rather than reinforcing agents. Overcoming this issue will require targeted research to optimize the interface between the nanomaterials and the protein matrix. The key challenge lies in the fact that too strong an interaction between these components can lead to protein aggregation, rendering the spinning process unfeasible. Therefore, a balance must be struck between the water dispersibility of the nanomaterials and the spinnability of the protein solution.