Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a method includes charging an electric resource over a power connection to an electric network, obtaining a unique identifier of a device over the power connection, and determining an electric network location of the electric resource from the unique identifier.

Abstract: Provided herein relates to implantable devices and systems with dynamic silk coatings. In some embodiments, the dynamic silk coatings can be formed in situ or in vivo.

Abstract: The present application discloses biopolymer-based ink formulations that are useful for inkjet printing and other applications. Related methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for silk fibroin-based compositions comprising one or more antibiotic agents for prevention or treatment of microbial contamination, methods of making antibiotic-containing silk scaffold, methods of stabilizing antibiotics in silk scaffolds, and methods for preventing or treating microbial contamination using the antibiotic-containing compositions. Various methods may be used to embed the antibiotic(s) into the silk fibroin-based compositions. The antibiotic-containing compositions of the invention are particular useful for stabilizing antibiotics, preventing bacterial infections, and for medical implants, tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, or other pharmaceutical or medical applications.

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 bioresorbable drug-eluting biopolymer suture-free blood vessel anastomosis devices can be deployed to join two blood vessels and resorbed by the body over a predetermined time period after the blood vessel has become joined. The anastomosis device can include a hollow tube that is inserted interconnect the two vessels to be jointed. A non-piercing suture is wrapped around the vessel to secure the anastomosis. The anastomosis device can include hollow tube that extends along an axis from a first end to a second end. The ends can be fitted with elements that facilitate mechanical attachment of the vessel to the anastomosis device and provide for a secure seal.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides tissue compositions including a first silk scaffold comprising a plurality of epithelial cells, a second silk scaffold comprising a plurality of stromal cells, and a plurality of neurons. In some embodiments, provided compositions can function as physiologically relevant corneal model systems for, inter alia, testing of therapeutics for corneal disease and/or injury and production of functional corneal tissue (e.g., for transplant, etc). The present invention also provides methods for making and using provided compositions.

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 method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical device includes providing a polymer, providing a substrate, casting the polymer on the substrate, and enzymatically polymerizing an organic compound to generate a conducting polymer between the provided polymer and the substrate. The polymer may be a biopolymer such as silk and may be modified using organic compounds such as tyrosines to provide a molecular-level interface between the provided bulk biopolymer of the biopolymer optical device and a substrate or other conducting layer via a tyrosine-enzyme polymerization. The enzymatically polymerizing may include catalyzing the organic compound with peroxidase enzyme reactions. The result is a carbon-carbon conjugated backbone that provides polymeric “wires” for use in polymer and biopolymer optical devices. An all organic biopolymer electroactive material is thereby provided that provides optical functions and features.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to programmable hydrogel ionic circuits having properties that are advantageous for use in biological systems. In particular, provided herein are programmable hydrogel ionic circuit that exhibit transparency, stretchability, aqueous-based connective interfaces, high-resolution routing of ionic currents between engineered and biological systems, and reduced tissue damage from electrochemical reactions. As described herein, the programmable hydrogel ionic circuits are produced using a combination of microfluidics and aqueous two-phase systems.

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: Methods, compositions, devices and kits for increasing mechanical stiffness of an incompetent or a dilated biological tissue in a subject are provided herein. The methods described herein involve placing (e.g., injecting) a silk fibroin-based composition into at least a portion of an incompetent or dilated tissue of a subject. In some embodiments, the silk fibroin-based composition can further comprise at least two PEG components that will crosslink together upon placement (e.g., injection) into a subject in need thereof. In specific embodiments, the methods, compositions, devices and kits can be used to increase mechanical stiffness of a cervical tissue in a subject, for example, for treatment of cervical insufficiency.

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 present disclosure provides, among other things, systems for processing silk. Provided systems purify silk fibroin solutions without inducing conformational changes in the silk proteins. Provided systems concentrate silk fibroin solutions. The present disclosure also provides methods of purifying and concentrating silk fibroin solutions. Provided systems and methods are useful for processing silk fibroin for any application.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides compositions including silk fibroin, at least one hydrophilic agent, and at least one catechol donating agent, wherein the at least one hydrophilic agent and at least one catechol donating agent are conjugated to the silk fibroin. According to various embodiments, at least a portion of the silk fibroin may be crosslinked. In some embodiments, the silk fibroin is at least 50% (e.g., 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or more) crosslinked. In some embodiments, the present invention also provides methods for making such compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions for stabilization of active agents. The active agents are distributed, mixed or embedded in a silk fibroin matrix, thereby retaining the bioactivity of the active agents upon storage and/or transportation. In some embodiments, the storage-stable vaccine-silk compositions are also provided herein.

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 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: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods including the steps of providing one or more human somatic cells, causing transient increased expression of OCT4, KLF4, SOX2, and cMYC in the somatic cells forming modified somatic cells, providing a plurality of inactivated embryonic fibroblasts, associating the modified somatic cells with the inactivated embryonic fibroblasts in a culture media comprising 20% KO DMEM xeno-free serum replacement and at least 15 ng/ml recombinant bFGF to form human induced neural stem cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, a silk ceramic material having enzymatically cross-linked amino acid side chains to generate injectable and flexible foam ceramics. Provided are compositions and methods of producing soft, flexible ceramic foam with silk polymeric crosslinking to serve as binders. Materials have applications in osteochondral and dental replacement and repair.