Scientists from Sichuan University mimicked the head movements of a silkworm to weave threads
To create the nanofibers, the researchers insertedmany tiny needles into a piece of foam soaked in a polyethylene oxide solution, and then the needles were pulled out in a process called microadhesive spinning (MAG). By imitating the different movements of the silkworm, scientists were able to create different types of fibers.
In their experiments, scientists have shown thatreciprocal movements of the microneedles (back and forth) formed ordered and even threads, rocking or vibration helped to create "crosslinked fibers", and rotation of the array of needles - twisted fiber. The researchers note that the finished threads did not stick together, as often happens in traditional production.
Scientists have also proposed an alternative wayproduction that does not require microneedles. Instead, the researchers used the natural roughness of the material. They simply impregnated two pieces of foam with a polymer solution and pushed them apart, twisting the threads between them easily and instantly. With this technology, they pulled strands and placed them directly on a person's skin to instantly create a custom bandage soaked in antiseptic to heal wounds.
Two alternative ways to form thin threads: using needles (left) and two pieces of foam (right). Image: Zhuxi Ni et al., Nano Lett.
Silkworms weave their cocoons from the fibers of the mucoussaliva. This writhing creature secretes in its saliva a solution of two proteins, which it continuously draws into a long, thin silk thread. The worm then sticks and pulls on this single thread several times until it wraps it in a silk cocoon.
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