Dresden 2014 – scientific programme
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CPP: Fachverband Chemische Physik und Polymerphysik
CPP 52: Biomaterials and Biopolymers (joint session with BP) II
CPP 52.3: Talk
Thursday, April 3, 2014, 15:30–15:45, ZEU 222
Mechanics of engineered spider silk microparticles — •Martin Peter Neubauer1, Claudia Bluem2, Thomas Scheibel2, and Andreas Fery1 — 1Department of Physical Chemistry II, University of Bayreuth, Germany — 2Department of Biomaterials, University of Bayreuth, Germany
Spider silk fibers are well known for their high tensile strength and elasticity. Further, spider silk is biocompatible and -degradable. Thus, application perspectives can be envisaged for pharmaceutics or cosmetics. Employing recombinant synthesis spider silk proteins are readily available and can be processed into different morphologies such as particles, capsules or films.[1]
We focus on mechanical properties of spider silk microparticles.[2] These could serve as fillers in composite materials or for drug delivery [3]. In this context, the understanding and controlling of mechanics is essential. From AFM force spectroscopy experiments we could show the drastic influence of hydration on the particles' elastic modulus which drops by orders of magnitude. Other investigated parameters include crosslinking and molecular weight. These mechanical studies are accompanied by the examination of structure, swelling and thermal behavior.
[1] Humenik, M., Smith, A. M., Scheibel, S., Polymers 2011, 3: 640-661
[2] Neubauer, M. P., Bluem, C., Agostini, E., Engert, J., Scheibel, S., Fery, A., Biomater. Sci. 2013, 1: 1160-1165
[3] Bluem, C., Scheibel, T., BioNanoSci. 2012, 2: 67-74