Abstract: A safety helmet that provides improved protection against injuries that can result from both linear and angular head acceleration is described. The helmet features an outer shell, an interface structure and a liner. The liner is a matrix structure formed from silkworm cocoons. Minimization of weight and sustainability, without compromising functionality, are also features of the helmet.

Abstract: A device including a wire element and a winding element to wind the wire element. The winding element is configured to change from a first stable state to a second stable state. A change in the state occurs either naturally or by changing an environment parameter so as to result in the wire element being wound on the winding element. In the naturally occurring state change, the energy of interaction between the wire element and the environment is higher than the energy of interaction between the wire element and the winding element. The environment parameter change results in the wire element being wound on the winding element during the change from the first state to the second state.

Abstract: A safety helmet is comprised of novel silk materials for both the outer shell and/or the foam liner. The helmet provides improved protection against both linear and angular head acceleration, and has complementary properties to protect against low- and high-energy impacts. Minimization of weight and sustainability, without compromising functionality, are also features of the helmet.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and use for immobilising Lepidopteran larvae and a method, device and use for forced silking from an immobilised Lepidopteran larva. A method for immobilising Lepidopteran larvae is disclosed which comprises paralysing the Lepidopteran larvae by at least one of transgenically expressing a polypeptide having paralytic effects in the Lepidopteran larvae, injecting hemolymph, wherein the hemolymph is drawn from Lepidopteran larvae and oxidised prior to the injecting, or injecting a natural or artificial polypeptide having paralytic effects.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of obtaining silk feedstock solution from a gland of a silkworm or another silk-producing arthropod in which the body of the silkworm or the other silk-producing arthropod is cut open and the gland removed. The silk feedstock solution is subsequently extracted from the gland and used for extrusion, spinning or moulding of objects.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of obtaining silk feedstock solution from a gland of a silkworm or another silk-producing arthropod in which the body of the silkworm or the other silk-producing arthropod is cut open and the gland removed. The silk feedstock solution is subsequently extracted from the gland and used for extrusion, spinning or moulding of objects.