Described herein is a method for producing a biofabricated material from collagen or collagen-like proteins which are recombinantly produced and which contain substantially no 3-hydroxyproline. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are isolated from animal sources, or produced by recombinant DNA techniques or by chemical synthesis. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are fibrillated, crosslinked, dehydrated and lubricated thus forming the biofabricated material having a substantially uniform network of collagen fibrils.

Described herein is a method for producing a biofabricated material from collagen or collagen-like proteins which are recombinantly produced and which contain substantially no 3-hydroxyproline. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are isolated from animal sources, or produced by recombinant DNA techniques or by chemical synthesis. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are fibrillated, crosslinked, dehydrated and lubricated thus forming the biofabricated material having a substantially uniform network of collagen fibrils.

The invention is directed to a composite material comprising a biofabricated material and a secondary component. The secondary component may be a porous material, such as a sheet of paper, cellulose, or fabric that has been coated or otherwise contacted with the biofabricated material. The biofabricated material comprises a uniform network of crosslinked collagen fibrils and provides strength, elasticity and an aesthetic appearance to the composite material.

The invention is directed to a composite material comprising a biofabricated material and a secondary component. The secondary component may be a porous material, such as a sheet of paper, cellulose, or fabric that has been coated or otherwise contacted with the biofabricated material. The biofabricated material comprises a uniform network of crosslinked collagen fibrils and provides strength, elasticity and an aesthetic appearance to the composite material.

Described herein is a method for producing a biofabricated material from collagen or collagen-like proteins. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are isolated from animal sources or produced by recombinant DNA techniques or by chemical synthesis. The collagen or collagen-like proteins are fibrillated, crosslinked, dehydrated and lubricated thus forming the biofabricated material having a substantially uniform network of collagen fibrils.

A biofabricated material containing a network of crosslinked collagen fibrils is disclosed. This material is composed of collagen which is also a major component of natural leather and is produced by a process of fibrillation of collagen molecules into fibrils, crosslinking the fibrils and lubricating the crosslinked fibrils. Unlike natural leathers, this biofabricated material exhibits non-anisotropic (not directionally dependent) physical properties, for example, a sheet of biofabricated material can have substantially the same elasticity or tensile strength when stretched or stressed in different directions. Unlike natural leather, it has a uniform texture that facilitates uniform uptake of dyes and coatings. Aesthetically, it produces a uniform and consistent grain for ease of manufacturability. It can have substantially identical grain, texture and other aesthetic properties on both sides distinct from natural leather where the grain increases from one side (e.g., distal surface) to the other (proximal inner layers).

The invention is directed to a composite material comprising a biofabricated material and a secondary component. The secondary component may be a porous material, such as a sheet of paper, cellulose, or fabric that has been coated or otherwise contacted with the biofabricated material. The biofabricated material comprises a uniform network of crosslinked collagen fibrilsand provides strength, elasticity and an aesthetic appearance to the composite material.

A biofabricated material comprising a network of crosslinked collagen fibrils produced from recombinant collagen that contains substantially no 3-hydroxyproline residues is disclosed. This material is composed of collagen which is also a major component of natural leather and is produced by a process of fibrillation of collagen molecules into fibrils, crosslinking the fibrils and lubricating the crosslinked fibrils. Unlike natural leathers, this biofabricated material exhibits non-anisotropic (not directionally dependent) physical properties, for example, a sheet of biofabricated material can have substantially the same elasticity or tensile strength when stretched or stressed in different directions. Unlike natural leather, it has a uniform texture that facilitates uniform uptake of dyes and coatings. Aesthetically, it produces a uniform and consistent grain for ease of manufacturability. It can have substantially identical grain, texture and other aesthetic properties on both sides distinct from natural leather where the grain increases from one side (e.g., distal surface) to the other (proximal inner layers).

A mechanical method of making an oil-in-water microemulsion containing (A) a polysiloxane and (B) an inert fluid selected from an inert siloxane fluid and an inert organic fluid, where the average emulsion particle size is between 1 and 140 nanometers, is disclosed. The process involves the following steps: i) preparing an oil phase comprising a polysiloxane containing mixture by the polymerization of silane or siloxane containing monomers and/or oligomers in the presence of an inert fluid, a suitable catalyst and optionally an end-blocking agent; and ii) where required quenching the polymerization process; wherein the inert fluid is substantially retained within the resulting polysiloxane containing mixture; iii) if required, mixing one or more surfactants into the oil phase; iv) adding water to the oil phase, followed by applying agitation or shear to the mixture to arrive at an oil-in-water microemulsion; v) optionally diluting the oil-in-water microemulsion by adding more water.

A mechanical method of making an oil-in-water microemulsion containing (A) a polysiloxane and (B) an inert fluid selected from an inert siloxane fluid and an inert organic fluid, where the average emulsion particle size is between 1 and 140 nanometers, is disclosed. The process involves the following steps: i) preparing an oil phase comprising a polysiloxane containing mixture by the polymerization of silane or siloxane containing monomers and/or oligomers in the presence of an inert fluid, a suitable catalyst and optionally an end-blocking agent; and ii) where required quenching the polymerization process; wherein the inert fluid is substantially retained within the resulting polysiloxane containing mixture; iii) if required, mixing one or more surfactants into the oil phase; iv) adding water to the oil phase, followed by applying agitation or shear to the mixture to arrive at an oil-in-water microemulsion; v) optionally diluting the oil-in-water microemulsion by adding more water.