Abstract: Disclosed herein is a novel phenomenon to create a nano-confined, dopant-free, electron spin-dependent fluorescence (SDF) in spider silk by fundamentally transforming its local molecular structure with femtosecond-pulses (206), having fluence below an ablation threshold. Electron-spin dependence of the fluorescent patterns created on the silk sample are confirmed by measuring the fluorescence intensity at different microwave frequencies. The fluorescent intensity exhibits microwave magnetic resonances at 2.88 GHz and 1.44 GHz at room-temperature. The SDF in laser-transformed silk can thereby enable a new-class of tough yet elastic silk-based quantum sensor and hybrid nano-mechanical ultrasensitive cantilevers on a micro-chip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoprocessing and heterostructuring of silk. It has been shown that few-cycle femtosecond pulses are ideal for controlled nanoprocessing and heterostructuring of silk in air. Two qualitatively different responses, ablation and bulging, were observed for high and low laser fluence, respectively. Using this approach, new classes of silk-based functional topological microstructures and heterostructures which can be optically propelled in air as well as on fluids remotely with good control have been fabricated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanoprocessing and heterostructuring of silk. It has been shown that few-cycle femtosecond pulses are ideal for controlled nanoprocessing and heterostructuring of silk in air. Two qualitatively different responses, ablation and bulging, were observed for high and low laser fluence, respectively. Using this approach, new classes of silk-based functional topological microstructures and heterostructures which can be optically propelled in air as well as on fluids remotely with good control have been fabricated.