Abstract: Fibrous protein fibers such as keratin fibers can be used to detect chemicals and radiation. One aspect of the invention is a method of detecting an analyte in a sample comprising the steps of: (1) providing a fiber of fibrous protein; (2) contacting the fiber of fibrous protein with an sample that may contain an analyte; (3) measuring the conductivity of the fiber of fibrous protein in the absence of contact with the sample and in the presence of contact with the sample; and (4) correlating the conductivity of the fiber of fibrous protein in the presence of contact with the sample with the conductivity of the fiber of fibrous protein in the presence of contact with a reference sample containing a known concentration of analyte to detect or determine the analyte in the sample. Another aspect of the invention is a method of detecting radiation in a sample using a fibrous protein fiber functionalized with CdTe.

Abstract: A pulp material that comprises a fibrous protein fiber is suitable for incorporation into paper or paper composites. The fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber is typically a keratin, fibrin, collagen, or elastin. Preferably, the fibrous protein is a collagen, such as a ?-keratin. The ?-keratin can be obtained from avian feathers, such as chicken feathers. The pulp material can further comprise at least one additive such as mordants. dyes. binders. foaming agents. hardeners. chemical sizing agents, fillers. wetting agents. plant fibers, or animal fibers. The pulp material can be treated with a crosslinking agent or an oxidizing agent. Other aspects of the invention include a biodegradable polymer comprising the pulp material and a filter comprising the pulp material. Still another aspect of the invention is a composite material comprising: (1) the pulp material; and (2) a fiber selected from the group consisting of an animal fiber and a plant fiber.

Abstract: A method of removing a heavy metal from a composition comprises: (1) providing a fibrous protein fiber; (2) agitating the fibrous protein fiber; (3) making a slurry of the agitated fibrous protein fiber; (4) contacting the agitated fibrous protein fiber slurry with a composition containing a heavy metal ion or a heavy metal ion complex; and (5) filtering a supernatant produced in step (4) to remove the heavy metal from the composition. The fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber can be selected from the group consisting of keratins, collagens, fibrins, and elastins. Typically, the fibrous protein of the fibrous protein fiber is a keratin.

Abstract: A method of removing both Sr and Cs from an alkaline solution having a pH between about 9 to 14 includes providing a keratin protein from essentially a fiber portion separated from a quill portion of a poultry feather. A slurry is made of the keratin protein and the alkaline solution and is treated ultrasonically. The Sr and Cs may each be present in the alkaline solution at least at about 5 ppb. The keratin protein is contacted with the Sr and Cs by mechanical agitation at a temperature between about 20 to 90° C. and at a pressure not greater than about 10 psi. A supernatant produced in the step of contacting is then filtered.