Meso-Reconstruction of Silk Fibroin based on Molecular and Nano-Templates for Electronic Skin in Medical Applications

A unique strategy of mesoscopic functionalization starting from silk fibroin (SF) materials to the fabrication of meso flexible SF electronic skin (e-skin) is presented. Notably, SF materials of novel and enhanced properties of the materials can be achieved by mesoscopically reconstructing the hierarchical structures of SF materials, based on rerouting the refolding process of SF molecules by meso-nucleation templating. Mesoscopic hybridization/reconstruction endows cocoon silk with a robust mechanical and electric performance by incorporating wool keratin (WK) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the mesostructures of SF via intermolecular templated nucleation. Furthermore, the asymmetrical meso-functional films with biocompatibility and insulation on one side and conductivity on the other (square resistance = 130 omega sq(-1)) endow the passive wireless e-skin exhibited a tunable sensitivity from -1.05 to -6.35 kPa(-1) with a lossless measurement range of approximate to 2 kPa. The pulses of human subjects are monitored using the e-skin to evaluate blood vessel hardening and real-time dynamic systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Automated summary

This study introduces a unique strategy of mesoscopic functionalization starting from silk fibroin materials to fabricate meso flexible SF electronic skin. By incorporating wool keratin and carbon nanotubes into the mesostructures of silk fibroin, the cocoon silk demonstrated robust mechanical and electric performance, showing a tunable sensitivity for passive wireless e-skin monitoring human subject pulses and evaluating blood vessel hardening and real-time blood pressure.