Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, compositions including at least one pliable layer comprising a plurality of silk fibroin nanofibrils, and at least one rigid layer comprising a plurality of mineral crystals, wherein each rigid layer is associated with at least one pliable layer, as well as methods for the production and use thereof.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for improved histological analysis of organoids are disclosed. The compositions and methods include silk-elastin-like polymers have temperature-induced shape change properties.

Abstract: Three-dimensional printing methods and systems for forming a three-dimensional protein article are disclosed. The methods and systems involve selecting article formation parameters, such as protein ink parameters, solvent bath parameters, shear force parameters, and mapping parameters. After these parameters are selected, the methods and systems iteratively introduce protein ink into a solvent bath via a three-dimensional printing outlet. The result is a three-dimensional protein article. One exemplary protein is silk fibroin. Further processing can be done, such as drying the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides for concentrated aqueous silk fibroin solutions and an all-aqueous mode for preparation of concentrated aqueous fibroin solutions that avoids the use of organic solvents, direct additives, or harsh chemicals. The invention further provides for the use of these solutions in production of materials, e.g., fibers, films, foams, meshes, scaffolds and hydrogels.

Abstract: A microneedle or microneedle device includes a microneedle body extending from a base to a penetrating tip formed from a silk fibroin based material, which is easy to fabricate and highly biocompatible. The microneedle device can include one or more microneedles mounted to a substrate. The silk fibroin can include active agents to be transported into or across biological barriers such as skin, tissue and cell membranes. The silk fibroin microneedles can be fully or partially biodegradable and/or bioerodible. The silk fibroin is highly stable, affords room temperature storage and is implantable. The silk fibroin structure can be modulated to control the rate of active agent delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing porous silk fibroin scaffold material. The porous silk fibroin scaffold can be used for tissue engineering. The porosity of the silk fibroin scaffolds described herein can be adjusted as to mimic the gradient of densities found in natural tissue. Accordingly, methods for engineering of 3-dimensional tissue, e.g. bone and cartilage, using the silk fibroin scaffold material are also provided.

Abstract: The inventions provided herein relate to compositions, methods, delivery devices and kits for repairing or augmenting a tissue in a subject. The compositions described herein are injectable such that they can be placed in a tissue to be treated with a minimally-invasive procedure (e.g., by injection) and/or be molded flexibly into a tissue void of any shape and/or size. In some embodiments, the composition described herein comprises a plurality of silk fibroin particles, which can retain their original volume within the tissue for a period of time. The compositions can be used as a filler to replace a tissue void, e.g., for tissue repair and/or augmentation, or as a scaffold to support tissue regeneration and/or reconstruction. In some embodiments, the compositions described herein can be used for soft tissue repair or augmentation.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible and stretchable LED arrays and methods utilizing flexible and stretchable LED arrays. Assembly of flexible LED arrays alongside flexible plasmonic crystals is useful for construction of fluid monitors, permitting sensitive detection of fluid refractive index and composition. Co-integration of flexible LED arrays with flexible photodetector arrays is useful for construction of flexible proximity sensors. Application of stretchable LED arrays onto flexible threads as light emitting sutures provides novel means for performing radiation therapy on wounds.

Abstract: The present application relates to silk fibroin-based materials, methods for making and using the same. Provided materials exhibit shape memory characteristics while showing comparable or better volumetric swelling, biocompatibility and/or degradability when compared to current memory polymers derived from either natural or synthetic materials.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to compositions comprising at least a first porous biomaterial layer and a second impermeable biomaterial layer and methods relating thereto. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein relate to wound healing, e.g. repair of wounds and/or tissue defects.

Abstract: The present application provides novel methods for the fabrication of nanostructures. More specifically, the invention relates to direct electron beam lithography with the use of silk fibroin as “green” resists.

Abstract: Protein-protein imprinting of silk fibroin is introduced as a rapid, high-fidelity, and/or high-throughput method for the fabrication of nanoscale structures in silk films, through controlled manipulation of heat and/or pressure. High resolution imprinting on conformal surfaces is also demonstrated.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to high molecular weight silk-based materials, compositions comprising the same, and processes of preparing the same. The silk-based materials produced from high molecular weight silk can be used in various applications ranging from biomedical applications such as tissue engineering scaffolds to construction applications. In some embodiments, the high molecular weight silk can be used to produce high strength silk-based materials. In some embodiments, the high molecular weight silk can be used to produce silk-based materials that are mechanically strong with tunable degradation properties.

Abstract: A microneedle or microneedle device includes a microneedle body extending from a base to a penetrating tip formed from a silk fibroin based material, which is easy to fabricate and highly biocompatible. The microneedle device can include one or more microneedles mounted to a substrate. The silk fibroin can include active agents to be transported into or across biological barriers such as skin, tissue and cell membranes. The silk fibroin microneedles can be fully or partially biodegradable and/or bioerodible. The silk fibroin is highly stable, affords room temperature storage and is implantable. The silk fibroin structure can be modulated to control the rate of active agent delivery.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a elastomeric biomaterial having enzymatically cross-linked amino acid phenolic side chains to generate highly elastic hydrogels. Materials are characterized by tunable mechanical properties, gelation kinetics and swelling properties of these new protein polymers. Provided materials are support encapsulation of cells. Methods of making and using of provided particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The technology described herein is directed to compositions comprising at least a first porous biomaterial layer and a second impermeable biomaterial layer and methods relating thereto. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods described herein relate to wound healing, e.g. repair of wounds and/or tissue defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a method includes establishing a communication connection with each of multiple electric resources connected to a power grid, receiving an energy generation signal from a power grid operator, and controlling a number of the electric resources being charged by the power grid as a function of the energy generation signal.

Abstract: A connection in a power aggregation system for distributed electric resources is located by establishing, by way of a computer network, a communication between a mobile electric resource and a network-connected device, the mobile electric resource including one or more processors including a processor to control power flow, obtaining, with the one or more processors, a unique identifier associated with the network-connected device, transmitting, with the one or more processors, information regarding the mobile electric resource to a remote server, determining, with the one or more processors or the remote server, a location of the mobile electric resource from the unique identifier, determining at least one power connection location from the determined location, and charging the mobile electric resource with the determined at least one power connection location.