Physics (Internal)

Silk Optics

This event is part of the Biophysics/Condensed Matter Seminar Series.

Abstract: We introduce the use of silk fibroin as an innovative material platform for optics and biophotonics. We demonstrate the fabrication of purified silk into high quality optical elements composed entirely of the organic, biocompatible and implantable protein matrix. Combined with all water-based, room temperature processing, and the mechanical stability and robustness of silk set this material apart from glasses, polymers or plastics and from other biopolymers. Most notably, however, the ambient processing environment allows for the simple entrainment of biological components into the optical devices while preserving their function.