Breakthrough: This material consists of chitin extracted from discarded shrimp shells and silk fibroin derived from silk, which replicates the strength, durability and versatility of insect epidermis.
Applications: Can be used to make rapidly degradable garbage bags, packaging materials and diapers. As a particularly sturdy biocompatible material, it can also be used to suture wounds that are under high load, such as repair of a hernia or as a scaffold for tissue regeneration.
Main research organization (company): Harvard University Bionic Engineering Wyss Institute