Disclosed are a molded body and method for manufacture of same, with the molded body including fibroin having high impact strength and flexural properties, the molded body being capable of maintaining impact strength and flexural properties over a long period of time, with the molded body including 80 parts or more by weight of fibroin, with the fibroin including fibrous fibroin and non-fibrous fibroin.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods including the steps of (i) providing silk fibroin material comprising substantially amorphous structure, and (ii) applying at least one of elevated temperature and elevated pressure to the silk fibroin material to form a silk fibroin article, wherein the applying induces fusion between at least a portion of the silk fibroin and structural change of fibroin in the silk fibroin material. In some embodiments, the present disclosure also provides silk fibroin articles made in accordance with the methods disclosed herein.

A hybrid scaffold is disclosed which is made of materials that define peripheral layers designed to interface with the tissues in the implant site and one or more intermediate layers. The materials are combined to give the scaffold mechanical properties suitable for withstanding the stresses of the implant site. The materials are fibroin for the peripheral layers and polyurethane combined with fibroin for each intermediate layer.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an article (10) comprising one or more filaments (12) of material having a hydrophilic surface (12a) comprising the steps of: forming a first solution (16) containing one or more bacteriophages (18a) in suspension in a carrier fluid (20) and depositing them upon one or more filament (12), in which said deposition of said first solution (16) is by dispensing drops (22) thereof from a drop dispenser (24) and by the step of depositing a pre-determined amount of said first solution per unit length on said first filament (12) and then forming said one or more first filaments (12) into a final article (10).

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the manufacturing of silk solutions and powders containing silk fibroin obtained from silkworm cocoons. The solutions and powders can be used to improve the post-harvest preservation of perishables and to improve the performance of packaging, including biodegradable packaging.

Methods, spray devices, and kits for the in situ formation of silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols are disclosed. Rapidly mixing a silk fibroin solution and a beta sheet initiation solution forms a mixed solution, which is rapidly expanded to form the silk fibroin fibers and/or aerosols. The beta sheet initiation solution includes a hygroscopic polymer having a molecular weight of between 7.5 kDa and 15.0 kDa. The rapid mixing and rapid expanding occur within one second of one another. Silk fibroin aerosols are formed when a molecular weight distribution of fragments in the silk fibroin solution is below an aerosol-fiber threshold. Silk fibroin fibers are formed when the molecular weight distribution is below the aerosol-fiber threshold.

A method for preparing a hydration-responsive silk-based material includes the steps of: (a) providing a precursor solution including a mixture of silk fibroin, lithium bromide, and cellulose nanocrystal; (b) wet-spinning the precursor solution into a coagulation solution to form an intermediate silk-based material; and (c) drawing the intermediate silk-based material in the coagulation solution to obtain the hydration-responsive silk-based material. A hydration-responsive silk-based material prepared by such a method and the use of the hydration-responsive silk-based material are also addressed.