Abstract: The present disclosure provides biologically-based ink compositions, methods of making the biologically-based ink composition, as well as articles, objects, devices, and/or apparatuses fabricated from or that comprise the biologically-based ink compositions. The biologically-based ink composition can include a silk fibroin solution having a concentration of silk fibroin between 0.1 wt % and 10 wt %, as well as a thickening agent and a humectant dispersed throughout the silk fibroin solution. The biologically-based ink compositions may be used to functionalize a substrate to fabricate sensors, non-toxic conductive inks/textiles, microfluidic channels, technical apparel or fashion accessories, functionalized furniture, tensile canopies, architectural wall paper, facade components, or may be patterned on a substrate to encapsulate scents, flavors, dyes and pigments, therapeutic agents, or biologically active molecules.

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: 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 application relates to silk fibroin-based hydrogels, methods for making and using the same.

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 present invention provides, in some embodiments, multi-layer silk compositions including a first layer comprising silk fibroin and keratinocytes, a second layer comprising silk fibroin and fibroblasts, a third layer comprising silk fibroin and adipocytes, and a plurality of nervous system cells, wherein at least some of the plurality of nervous system cells span at least two layers, and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, provided methods and compositions further include immune cells and/or endothelial cells.

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 application relates to silk fibroin-based hydrogels, methods for making and using the same.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a composition comprising a hierarchical opal that exhibits structural color when exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation. The hierarchical opal comprises nanoscale periodic cavities separated by a lattice constant, and includes a surface having grooves. The grooves may form a diffractive optical element on the surface of the hierarchical opal, such as a diffuser, a diffraction grating, a beamsplitter, a beam displacement opic, a Fresnel lens, and a micro lens, among others.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides transparent, elastic silk hydrogels for applications, including corneal reshaping to restore visual acuity and photolithography. The present disclosure also provides methods of photocrosslinking silk fibroin protein using riboflavin as a photoinitiator and exposing such riboflavin doped silk fibroin to light resulting in the formation of a transparent, elastic hydrogel.

Abstract: The present application relates to amphiphilic polypeptide materials, methods for making and using the same. Provided amphiphilic polypeptide materials are water-based and manufactured using all aqueous processing. Provided materials exhibit a capacity to encapsulate and store biologically active molecules or macromolecules. Such biologically active molecules or macromolecules retain their structure and the biological activity so that these biologically active molecules or macromolecules are not materially degraded, reduced, and/or inhibited by processing steps or exposure. Provided materials possess unique mechanical and structural properties, including size, density, moldability and machinability.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are nanofibrillar materials and aerogel-like materials comprised of nanofibrils, and methods for making such materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a lamellae tissue layer, comprising a grooved silk fibroin substrate comprising tissue-specific cells. The silk fibroin substrates provides an excellent means of controlling and culturing cell and extracellular matrix development. A multitude of lamellae tissue layers can be used to create a tissue-engineered organ, such as a tissue-engineered cornea. The tissue-engineered organ is non-immunogenic and biocompatible.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for printing a predetermined pattern on silk fibroin materials using water based “inks.” Such technique may be useful for micro- and nano-engineering applications.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a dielectric sensor configured to detect a physiological variable within a subject. The dielectric sensor having at least one split-ring resonator configured to be positioned within an oral cavity of the subject and to be bioresponsive to at least one physiological variable. The split-ring resonator having a first resonator loop, a second resonator loop, and a dielectric interlayer interposed between and contacting the first resonator and the second resonator.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, compositions including a plurality of enterocytes, a plurality of fibroblasts, a plurality of Goblet cells, a plurality of Paneth cells, a plurality of enteroendocrine cells, and a silk fibroin scaffold, wherein the composition exhibits one or more of tight junction formation, microvilli polarization, digestive enzyme secretion, and low oxygen tension and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the composition exhibits one or more of tight junction maintenance, maintenance of microvilli polarization, digestive enzyme secretion, and low oxygen tension for at least 10 days.

Abstract: This present disclosure provides methods for utilizing such forces in when generating nanofibrillar constructs with engineered morphology from the nano- to macro-scales. Using for example, a biopolymer silk fibroin as a base material, patterns an intermediate hydrogel were generated within a deformable mold. Subsequently, mechanical tension was introduced via either hydrogel contraction or mold deformation, and finally a material is reentrapped in this transformed shape via beta-sheet crystallization and critical point drying. Topdown engineered anchorages, cables, and shapes act in concert to mediate precision changes in nanofiber alignment/orientation and a macroscale form of provided nanofibrillar structure. An ability of this technique to engineer large gradients of nano- and micro-scale order, manipulate mechanical properties (such as plasticity and thermal transport), and the in-situ generation of 2D and 3D, multi-tiered and doped, nanofibrillar constructs was demonstrated.

Abstract: The invention provides transient devices, including active and passive devices that electrically and/or physically transform upon application of at least one internal and/or external stimulus. Materials, modeling tools, manufacturing approaches, device designs and system level examples of transient electronics are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to patterned photonic crystals. Provided photonic crystals are large scale silk inverse opals with tunable, geometrically defined structural color. Provided photonic crystals exhibit structural color or a photonic band gap (“PBG”). Provided photonic crystals are is found to be highly sensitive to water vapor and UV irradiation. Provided multicolored photonic macro- or micro-patterns are shown by selectively applying water vapor or UV irradiation through a shadow mask. The present disclosure also provides methods for making and using the same.