Communication

Unexpected Strength and Toughness in Chitosan-Fibroin Laminates Inspired by Insect Cuticle

  1. Javier G. Fernandez1,2,
  2. Donald E. Ingber1,2,3,*

Article first published online: 13 DEC 2011

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201104051

Issue

Advanced Materials

Advanced Materials

Volume 24, Issue 4, pages 480–484, January 24, 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Fernandez, J. G. and Ingber, D. E. (2012), Unexpected Strength and Toughness in Chitosan-Fibroin Laminates Inspired by Insect Cuticle. Advanced Materials, 24: 480–484. doi: 10.1002/adma.201104051

Author Information

  1. 1

    Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA

  2. 2

    Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA

  3. 3

    Vascular Biology Program, Departments of Surgery and Pathology, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA

*Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 JAN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 13 DEC 2011
  3. Manuscript Received: 21 OCT 2011

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Keywords:

  • cuticles;
  • biomaterials;
  • shrilk;
  • chitin;
  • silk

Graphical Abstract

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A material inspired by natural insect cuticle and composed of chitosan and fibroin is created. The material exhibits the strength of an aluminum alloy at half its weight, while being clear, biocompatible, biodegradable, and micromoldable. The bioinspired laminate exhibits strength and toughness that are ten times greater than the unstructured component blend and twice that of its strongest constituent.

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