The Power of Silk Technology for Energy Applications

Silk fibers are a remarkable material made of proteins possessing excellent mechanical properties that match or even outperform, in some aspects, high performance fibers such as Kevlar and steel. Silk proteins can be further produced recombinantly, allowing the possibility for genetic modification, enhancing silks' already impressive range of benefits. Thus far, little research has explored the possibility of incorporating silk-based materials in electronic or energy systems. With an increasing global concern for climate change and the dwindling reserves of fossil fuels, silk (or silk-derived) hybrid materials are a promising avenue of scientific exploration in energy storage and conversion devices, flexible and wearable electronics and even as photovoltaic devices, which will be reviewed here within. Despite this, silk has seen only little interest for applications in hybrid energy devices in the recent years. Here within, some of the applications and benefits of silk-based materials in several systems including: flexible electronics, thermal and thermoelectric devices, mechanical energy devices, sensors, and photovoltaic solar cells are examined. In addition to biocompatibility, high tensile strength, and renewability, silk also adds many benefits to hybrid energy systems such as tunability, multifunctionality, and versatility, making silk one of the most all-encompassing materials for use in hybrid devices.

Automated summary

Silk fibers, made of proteins, exhibit excellent mechanical properties that can be further enhanced through genetic modification. Despite the lack of current interest in silk-based materials for hybrid energy devices, their potential applications in various systems are vast.