Silk nanofibrils and uses thereof
The present invention, in some aspects, provides compositions including a solution comprising a plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or exfoliated silk nanofibrils, wherein the micro- or nano-fibrils are characterized as having a substantially nematic structure, as well as methods for making and using the same.
1. A composition comprising a plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils, wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils are not made from regenerated silk fibroin, wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils comprise a hierarchical structure of native silk fibroin fibrils in an interior portion of the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils, wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils have a modified surface chemistry by virtue of partial dissolution by a polar solvent, wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils can be dissolved or dispersed in an aqueous solution by virtue of the modified surface chemistry.
2. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a substrate.
3. The composition of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils comprise a coating.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is or comprises a sensor or implant.
5. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising at least one additive.
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein at least one additive is or comprises a dye, a growth factor, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anti-microbial agent, quantum dots, conductive polymers, or an inorganic material.
7. The composition of claim 5 , wherein at least one additive is or comprises carbon nanotubes.
8. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition is a solution.
9. The composition of claim 1 , the composition comprising the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils.
10. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils have a diameter between 5 and 50 μm, inclusive.
11. The composition of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils have a length between 5 μm and 50 mm, inclusive.
12. The composition of claim 1 , the composition comprising the plurality of silk nanofibrils.
13. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the silk nanofibrils have a diameter between 2 and 200 nm, inclusive.
14. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the silk nanofibrils have a length between 50 and 2 μm, inclusive.
15. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the silk nanofibrils comprise a helical or spiral structure.
16. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a cell.
17. The composition of claim 16 , wherein the cell is selected from the group consisting of fibroblasts, stem cells, immune cells, nervous system cells, adipose tissue-derived cells, and blood cells.
18. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of exfoliated silk microfibrils and/or silk nanofibrils each individually have an elongation at break that is substantially the same as a native silk fiber.
19. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a metal or ceramic material.
20. An article comprising the composition of claim 1 .