Abstract: A structured material for impact protection includes a plurality of tubular members formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material. The plurality of tubular members are arranged in a bundle such that the central axes of the plurality of tubular members are substantially parallel, and adjacent tubular members are secured to one another along their length. A method of forming a structured impact protection material includes arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected shape. The tubes are arranged in a layer with central axes of the tubes aligned to be parallel to each other. Heat is applied to adjacent first end portions of tubes of plurality of tubes and the adjacent first end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond. Heat is applied to adjacent second end portions of the tubes to thermally bond the adjacent second end portions to each other.

Abstract: A structured material for impact protection includes a plurality of tubular members formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material. The plurality of tubular members are arranged in a bundle such that the central axes of the plurality of tubular members are substantially parallel, and adjacent tubular members are secured to one another along their length. A method of forming a structured impact protection material includes arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected shape. The tubes are arranged in a layer with central axes of the plurality of tubes aligned to be parallel to each other. Heat is applied to adjacent first end portions of tubes of plurality of tubes and the adjacent first end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond. Heat is applied to adjacent second end portions of the tubes and the adjacent second end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond.

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: 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: A structured material for impact protection includes a plurality of tubular members formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material. The plurality of tubular members are arranged in a bundle such that the central axes of the plurality of tubular members are substantially parallel, and adjacent tubular members are secured to one another along their length. A method of forming a structured impact protection material includes arranging a plurality of tubes formed from a thermoplastic elastomer material into a selected shape. The tubes are arranged in a layer with central axes of the plurality of tubes aligned to be parallel to each other. Heat is applied to adjacent first end portions of tubes of plurality of tubes and the adjacent first end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond. Heat is applied to adjacent second end portions of the tubes and the adjacent second end portions are secured to each other via thermal bond.

Abstract: A flexible and stretchable patterned substrate is provided having a strain-permitting material comprising a patterned conformation that allows the flexible patterned substrate to experience local strain or local strain domains lower than the macroscopic strain of the flexible and stretchable patterned substrate.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to structured porous materials, where the porous structure provides a tailored Poisson's ratio behavior. In particular, the structures of this invention are tailored to provide a range in Poisson's ratio ranging from a negative Poisson's ratio to a zero Poisson's. Two exemplar structures, each consisting of a pattern of elliptical or elliptical-like voids in an elastomeric sheet, are presented. The Poisson's ratios are imparted to the substrate via the mechanics of the deformation of the voids (stretching, opening, and closing) and the mechanics of the material (rotation, translation, bending, and stretching). The geometry of the voids and the remaining substrate are not limited to those presented in the models and experiments of the exemplars, but can vary over a wide range of sizes and shapes. The invention applies to both two-dimensional structured materials as well as three dimensionally structured materials.

Abstract: A flexible and stretchable patterned substrate is provided having a strain-permitting material comprising a patterned conformation that allows the flexible patterned substrate to experience local strain or local strain domains lower than the macroscopic strain of the flexible and stretchable patterned substrate.