What's Your Problem? The Secrets of Silk
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Apr 10, 2025 Fiorenzo Omenetto, a Tufts University Professor and director of Silklab, dives into the intriguing world of silk innovation. He reveals how this ancient material can revolutionize modern medicine, from silk-based microneedle patches for vaccine delivery to breakthroughs in tissue engineering. The conversation also touches on silk's role in food preservation and its transformative applications in technology. Discover how this age-old fiber is reshaping diverse industries while weaving together science, entrepreneurship, and cultural reflections.
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Silk's Unexpected Properties
- Fiorenzo Omenetto, a physics and optics expert, joined a biomedical engineering department and encountered silk unexpectedly.
- His colleague, David Kaplan, asked him to use lasers to create holes in a silk film for cell growth, sparking Omenetto's interest in silk's properties.
Silk and Lasers
- Silk's smooth surface prevents laser scattering, making it unique.
- This discovery led Omenetto to explore its potential in optics and material science.
Natural Engineering Marvel
- The Bombyx mori silkworm, domesticated for over a thousand years, produces optimized silk.
- Each cocoon unwinds into nearly a kilometer of unbroken thread, demonstrating nature's engineering marvel.