The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for synthesizing a spidroin. In some embodiments, the methods comprise synthesizing a monomer in vivo in a heterologous host, the monomer comprising an N-terminus IntC domain and a C-terminus IntN domain, and post-translationally polymerizing the synthesized monomer via in vitro split-intein mediated polymerization.

Methods for preparing and orientating nanofibers and a composite material including the same. Some methods for preparing a composite material with orientated nanofibers may include providing a nanoporous material; dissolving a natural or synthetic polymer, —in a solvent; pressing or drawing the polymer solution through pores of the nanoporous material whereby nanofibers are formed within said material; mixing the nanofibers with a matrix material; orientating or partially orientating the nanofibers within the matrix material by applying an electric and/or magnetic field; depositing the nanofibers-matrix mixture with the orientated or partially orientated nanofibers onto a substrate surface. The nanofibers may be oriented locally different in various areas/layers of the composite material, resulting in a composite material with locally independent mechanical properties.

Methods for reaction electrospinning are provided to form collagen fibers. The method can include: acidifying a collagen in an acidic solvent to form an acidic collagen solution; electrospinning the acidic collagen solution within an alkaline atmosphere (e.g., including ammonia vapor) to form collagen fibers; and collecting the collagen fibers within a salt bath (e.g., including ammonium sulfate). The acidic solvent can include water and an alcohol, and can have a pH of about 2 to about 4 (e.g., including a strong acid, such as HCl). An albumin rubber is also provided, which can include albumin crosslinked with glutaraldehyde.

Methods for reaction electrospinning are provided to form collagen fibers. The method can include: acidifying a collagen in an acidic solvent to form an acidic collagen solution; electrospinning the acidic collagen solution within an alkaline atmosphere (e.g., including ammonia vapor) to form collagen fibers; and collecting the collagen fibers within a salt bath (e.g., including ammonium sulfate). The acidic solvent can include water and an alcohol, and can have a pH of about 2 to about 4 (e.g., including a strong acid, such as HCl). An albumin rubber is also provided, which can include albumin crosslinked with glutaraldehyde.

The invention provides engineered biomaterials derived from plant products. The engineered biomaterials are useful for biomedical applications. The engineered biomaterials are able to support the growth of animal calls.

A device for producing nanofibers or microfibers from solutions, emulsions, liquid suspensions or melts containing a spun substance, comprises a chamber in which a hollow shaft is assembled, on which at least one rotating disc with an output gap is mounted, The chamber is generally provided with a source of the flowing gas and a collection area. In an alternative embodiment, the chamber is provided with a number of side by side arranged hollow shafts.

It is preferred that at least one hollow shaft is provided with two superposed rotating discs. At least one rotating disc is composed of two successive parts, wherein between the upper part and the lower part an outlet gap is formed around the circumference thereof. The size of the outlet gap between the upper part and the lower part of rotating disc may be formed by a spacer element, in particular a spacer ring.

A device for producing nanofibers or microfibers from solutions, emulsions, liquid suspensions or melts containing a spun substance, comprises a chamber in which a hollow shaft is assembled, on which at least one rotating disc with an output gap is mounted, The chamber is generally provided with a source of the flowing gas and a collection area. In an alternative embodiment, the chamber is provided with a number of side by side arranged hollow shafts.

It is preferred that at least one hollow shaft is provided with two superposed rotating discs. At least one rotating disc is composed of two successive parts, wherein between the upper part and the lower part an outlet gap is formed around the circumference thereof. The size of the outlet gap between the upper part and the lower part of rotating disc may be formed by a spacer element, in particular a spacer ring.

The invention is directed to a method for producing 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.

Biofabricated leathers made by electrocompaction and/or electrospsinning. Described herein are biofabricated leather materials derived from electrospun or electrocompacted collagen networks. These electrospun or electrocompacted leathers may have leather-like properties following and are may be processed as native leather and used to form leather goods.

This method for preparing a thread has a step for obtaining a thread-shaped vitrigel by wetting a first sheet-shaped hydrogel dried body or a sheet-shaped vitrigel dried body in a first aqueous solution and twisting the same into a thread shape.