Silk’s Contemporary Shapes and Functions Across Technology and Design

Natural materials are generating unprecedented opportunities for innovation across various fields, creating a unique synergy between natural sciences and high technology. The potential for transforming naturally derived materials, such as structural proteins and, specifically, regenerated silk fibroin, is quite rich. By applying advanced material processing, prototyping, and manufacturing techniques to these widely available substances, we can envision and implement sustainable, carbon-neutral strategies that seamlessly blend the biological and technological realms.<br/>This approach paves the way for numerous applications of biomaterials. For instance, edible and implantable electronics could revolutionize the way we interact with technology on a personal level, while new methods in food preservation could significantly reduce waste and enhance food security. Energy harvesting technologies derived from natural materials offer promising avenues for sustainable power sources. Wearable sensors, made from biodegradable materials, present a future where our devices are both high-performing and environmentally friendly.<br/>Moreover, compostable technology could lead to a dramatic reduction in electronic waste, and distributed environmental sensing could provide more comprehensive and sustainable monitoring of ecosystems. In the medical field, advancements in biomaterials hold the promise of creating more effective and less invasive medical devices and therapeutics. Biospecimen stabilization techniques using natural materials could improve the preservation and transport of biological samples, and advanced medical diagnostics could become more accurate and accessible.<br/>This talk will outline these opportunities, demonstrating how the integration of natural materials with cutting-edge technology can lead to advances across multiple sectors.