silk fibroin

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2018.01.007 The present review will introduce the basic concepts of silk-based electronics/optoelectronics including the latest technological advances on the use of silk fibroin in combination with other functional components, with an emphasis on improving the performance of next-generation silk-based materials. It also highlights the patterning of silk fibroin to produce micro/nano-scale features, as well as the functionalization of silk fibroin to impart antimicrobial (i.e. antibacterial) properties.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adfm.201704757/full Hydrogels are the focus of extensive research due to their potential use in fields including biomedical, pharmaceutical, biosensors, and cosmetics. However, the general weak mechanical properties of hydrogels limit their utility. Here, pristine silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties are generated via a binary-solvent-induced conformation transition (BSICT) strategy.

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acsami.5b05615 Studies reveal that biomolecules can form intriguing molecular structures with fascinating functionalities upon interaction with graphene. Then, interesting questions arise. How does silk fibroin interact with graphene? Does such interaction lead to an enhancement in its mechanical properties?