Silk and Technology: The Rise of Sericulture 4.0

Abstract

This study examines current advancements in microencapsulation technology for the use of silk fibers. It defines the fundamental concept and technology, discusses the adhesion between microcapsules and Silk fibroin (SF), and highlights the application and impact of microencapsulation technology in SFs. It also covers the possible obstacles and opportunities for microencapsulation technology in natural SFs. SF produced by B. mori silkworm cocoons may be blended with other biomaterials to create biopolymer composites. Recombinant DNA technique enables genetic control over silks. Silk proteins may be converted into a variety of materials, including films, sponges, electro-spun carpets, and hydrogels. These eco-friendly materials provide adaptability and sustainability in specialized applications. Recent breakthroughs in silk-based materials in bio-nanotechnology have concentrated on manufacturing and functionalization approaches for tissue engineering, degradable devices, and controlled-release systems. Silk materials, due to their distinct structure and high nitrogen concentration, may be converted into inherently nitrogen-doped and electrically conductive carbon materials. These materials have applications in soft electronics, including bio-resorbable electronics, ultra-conformal bioelectronics, transient electronics, epidermal electronics, textile electronics, conformal biosensors, flexible transistors, and resistive switching memory devices. Silk fibers, textiles, and re-engineered silk materials provide diverse technological formats for functional soft electronics, especially bio-resorbable electronics, ultra-conformal bioelectronics, transient electronics, epidermal electronics, textile electronics, conformal biosensors, and flexible semiconductors. The study explores new scaffold design techniques that employ SF, a natural polymer, and indirect 3D-bioprinting technology. The scaffolds are bio-compatible and have adjustable mechanical strength, which can be regulated by adjusting the SF content. The approach produces flexible scaffolds, which makes them excellent for bio-engineering soft and musculo-skeletal tissues, and the solvent may be modified for controlling the entire procedure.