Transparent Nanocomposites: Biomimetic Chitin–Silk Hybrids: An Optically Transparent Structural Platform for Wearable Devices and Advanced Electronics (Adv. Funct. Mater. 24/2018)

Abstract

In article number https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201705480, Jang‐Ung Park, Byeong‐Soo Bae, Jungho Jin, and co‐workers develop a biomimetic nanocomposite that synergistically hybridizes chitin nanofibers and silk fibroin proteins with β‐sheet structures (CS hybrid), inspired by the exoskeletons of marine crustaceans and insects. The CS hybrids are optically transparent, mechanically robust, and can be fabricated into various formats, such as films and contact lenses. Using the CS hybrids as a structural platform, emerging wearable devices (film‐type heater, ocular sensor) and an advanced display cover window are demonstrated.

The future of electronic materials is…degradable!

“…Flexible micro structured as chitin methacrylate has been applied for electronics 81 or coupled with silk. 82 A complete book chapter including chitin and chitosan has been recently published by Pottathara et al 67 Silk represents one of the most used materials as support. Derived from a natural source, as extracted directly from the cocoon of Bombyx mori silkworm, it is a natural protein presenting great potential thanks to its easy biodegradability.…”