Created wool-like material with shape memory ability

Researchers from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. John A. Paulson created new material

with the ability to remember the original form. It is similar to wool and can be used to make smart clothing and medical products.

The material is printed on a 3D printer. It is made from the fibrous protein keratin found in hair and nails. Scientists have extracted keratin for a new material from wool leftovers in textile manufacturing.

The material is durable and has shape memory. This means that it can be deformed, but when exposed to certain stimuli (for example, when treated with a solution of hydrogen peroxide), the material will return to its original shape. During the experiment, scientists gave one keratin leaf the appearance of an origami star. In the water, the leaf turned around, and then the tube was rolled up. Then it dried up and was dipped into the water again. There the sheet folded back into a star.