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Researchers transformed natural fibers into an ultra-strong silk material using heat and pressure, without synthetic additives, outperforming wood and bone, with strength close to Kevlar and potential for medical implants and 6G technologies
The silk material created by researchers from Tufts University, Imperial College London, and the University of Michigan transformed natural fibers into an ultra-strong solid. The breakthrough does not dissolve fibers or use synthetic additives.
The fused silk outperformed wood and bone in toughness, approached Kevlar, and had greater ballistic resistance than carbon fiber composites. The material maintained biocompatibility and can be adjusted.
Silk material preserves structure
The process avoids breaking silk into proteins to rebuild it later. The fibers are aligned, heated, and pressed directly, preserving part of the original molecular structure.
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The silk material starts from commercially available cocoon fibers. Before pressing, researchers removed sericin with a sodium carbonate solution.
During heating, mobile regions of the protein softened and bonded neighboring fibers. Crystalline parts linked to strength and flexibility were preserved, forming a wood-like structure on a microscopic scale.
Heat and pressure define performance
The ideal processing window was between 257 and 419 degrees Fahrenheit, with pressures from 1,900 to 9,800 atmospheres. Too little heat or pressure created fragile structures; excessive temperatures made the material brittle.
Aligned bundles efficiently distribute stress. This hierarchical structure contributes to the unusual combination of toughness and durability of the silk material.
Medical and 6G potential
In animal tests, the fused silk provoked mild immune responses, which decreased over time. The team also controlled degradation through processing conditions.
Less dense versions allowed gradual cell infiltration, while dense forms remained stable for longer. The material can be used in plates and devices for bone fractures.
Scientists from the University of Michigan discovered that the fused silk can polarize terahertz radiation, used in airport scanners, medical imaging, and chemical detection. The property can support 6G communication technologies.
