Ken Chong
CMMI Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:
September 1, 2003
Expires:
August 31, 2007 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:
$999668
Investigator(s):
Randolph Lewis silk@uwyo.edu (Principal Investigator)
Jeffery Yarger (Co-Principal Investigator) Costas Karatzas (Co-Principal Investigator) C. Middaugh (Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Avenue
LARAMIE, WY 82071 307/766-5320
NSF Program(s):
EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, NANOSCALE: INTRDISCPL RESRCH T, MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Field Application(s):
0308000 Industrial Technology
Program Reference Code(s):
AMPP, 9161, 1788, 1674
Program Element Code(s):
9150, 1674, 1630
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Spiders have been using protein-based nano-materials with the ability to self-assemble into fibers for over 450 million years. However, it is only in the past 10 years that an understanding of the basis for this process has emerged. Investigators from the University of Wyoming, Nexia Biotechnologies Inc., the University of Bologna, and the University of Kansas will work together in testing three basic hypotheses and engineering concepts. (1) Amino acid sequence motifs from spider silk can be used to create nano-springs and self-assembling elastic materials. (2) The elasticity of the individual molecules and the materials will be proportional to the number of elastic motifs they contain. (3) The elastic modulus of the materials can be varied by using different amino acid sequence motifs found in various spider silks.
Possible applications of the spider silk proteins seem widespread. The molecules themselves can serve as springs in a variety of nano-materials based applications. If our hypotheses are correct we can control the elasticity and elastic modulus of each protein spring. Since these nano-materials will self-assemble into fibers or films they can be used in any application where the unique materials properties of these silks will be of advantage. Uses range from artificial ligaments and tendons to protective clothing to composite materials.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
Brooks A.E. and Lewis, R.V.. ""Probing the Elastic Nature of Spider Silk in Pursuit of the Next," Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation, v.40, 2004, p. 232.
Lewis, RV. "Spider silk: Ancient ideas for new biomaterials," CHEMICAL REVIEWS, v.106, 2006, p. 3762-3774.
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