The silkworm spins the cocoon using a single spinneret organ. The cocoon is a single, unbroken strand of silk that is approximately a kilometer in length. The silkworm creates a cocoon at the end of the larval stage. The Bombyx Mori silkworm life cycle is approximately 8 weeks in length and is comprised of several stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult (moth). Silkworms could be engineered to produce varied types of materials perhaps the location of the silk deposition could be controlled via light guides, sound or other means. Perhaps in the future, synthetic biology will enable a more advanced form of silk worm domestication. This approach contrasts with existing silk design, which uses a traditional textiles process. The purpose of the project was to use silkworms to directly fabricate a product, in this case a hemispherical dome. With this context, my colleagues at MIT created the Silk Pavilion, a structure woven by 6500 silkworms over the course of 2 weeks. The silkworm has also been synthetically engineered to produce silk with altered properties, including fluorescent silk and super-strong spider silk. Silk is being developed as a biomaterial for electronic, optical and mechanical implants (see the lab of Fiorenzo Omenetto of Tufts for more). Silkworms have also become an intense area of research in the past 15 years due to silk's unique material properties. They are also disarmingly cute creatures and easy to raise and nurture. Silkworms spin silk, a protein fiber known for its strength, sheen and pure white color. Silkworms are the oldest domesticated insect and have been a source of design, economy and trade for thousands of years. Are you interested in raising & experimenting with silk worms? This instructable is for you! As a part of my graduate school research I had a chance to experiment with raising and creating fabric with silk worms.
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