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Silk Protein Photonics

Posted by timothy on from the need-more-spiders dept.

Researchers in the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University have used a straightforward, water based extraction method to make pure, ultra-transparent silk films. These films can be patterned with photonic devices, like diffraction gratings and infused with proteins and enzymes allowing biochemically active, cheap, printable optics to be fabricated. Applications to implantable optical sensors are almost limitless. (Disclaimer: I am part of this research group.)

7 of 26 comments (clear)

  1. Applications by MyLongNickName · · Score: 4, Funny

    After reading the article, I come to the conclusion that this would be perfect for edible underwear.

    Research team -- look into this.

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    1. Re:Applications by UID30 · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...getting ready for a hot date.

      You know this is slashdot, don't you?

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  2. Translation Available? by UID30 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is there a nerd-to-geek translation available for this article? How many Wattabytes can that protien infused diffusion grate optical sensor hold? ... and more importantly, does it run Linux? ... beowulf cluster?

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    "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever." - Napoleon Bonaparte
  3. Re:Biochemical breakdown by JustOK · · Score: 4, Funny

    think there's a site that shows the interface to your GI tract...don't want to mention the name, its been posted here before.

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  4. Enzyme Stabilization by Kozar_The_Malignant · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I was interested in the stabilization effect this has on the enzymes doped onto the silk substrate. According to TFA, they wind up with a room-temperature self life of a year or so compared to hours otherwise. This could make all kinds of tests and indicators way cheaper. how about E. coli sensitive wrappers for meat products?

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  5. FTA by dk90406 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    I RTFA, and was a little surprised. Obviously this was a press release (and shown as such), but my thoughts were:
    • They have discovered something important, but failed to communicate it properly
    • They may have something - but it is highly speculative
    • If they have something - why chose chose such a bad as bad food? No explanation is presented. Power Source? Needed at all? Processor? etc..
    • There might some more interesting applications for this stuff, think of translucent cloth.

    I saw you guys are all making fun, but story shows how academia struggles to communicate to the public.
    Unfurtunatly /. is not the typical public.

  6. Spinach! bah by StormShaman · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Spinach! Sure, the most recent E. Coli scare was with spinach, but I'd like to see this on fish, so I could know what fish to buy for sashimi.