Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Jose RR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4025577 | biostudies-literature | 2014 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Jose Rod R RR Elia Roberto R Tien Lee W LW Kaplan David L DL
ACS applied materials & interfaces 20140424 9
Here we demonstrate the effectiveness of an electroresponsive aqueous silk protein polymer as a smart mechanical damping fluid. The aqueous polymer solution is liquid under ambient conditions, but is reversibly converted into a gel once subjected to an electric current, thereby increasing or decreasing in viscosity. This nontoxic, biodegradable, reversible, edible fluid also bonds to device surfaces and is demonstrated to reduce friction and provide striking wear protection. The friction and mec ...[more]