Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tufts College

Dow Corning Corporation

Sergey Fridrikh

Gregory C Rutledge

David L Kaplan

Hyoung-Joon Jin

Minglin Ma

Randal M Hill

Joseph L Lowery

The present invention relates to fibers exhibiting a water contact angle of above 150&#xb0; and water contact angle hysteresis of below 15&#xb0;, methods of producing the same, and applications thereof. The present invention further relates to superhydrophobic fiber mats, methods of producing the same, and applications thereof.

Superhydrophobic fibers and methods of preparation and use thereof

The present invention provides an all-aqueous process and composition for production of silk biomaterials, e.g., fibers, films, foams and mats. In the process, at least one biocompatible polymer, such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) (a well-documented biocompatible material), was blended with the silk protein prior to processing e.g., electrospinning. We discovered that this step avoids problems associated with conformational transitions of fibroin during solubilization and reprocessing from aqueous solution which lead to embrittled materials. Moreover, the process avoids the use of organic solvents that can pose problems when the processed biomaterials are exposed to cells in vitro or in vivo.

Silk biomaterials and methods of use thereof

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Acton, MA, United States of America

Sergey Fridrikh