BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMIMETIC POLYMERS

MELANINS AND POLYDOPAMINES 

Following the same approach of functionalization of natural or biomimetic materials, we have also studied polydopamine, and in general melanines, and their chemically modified analogues, as active materials in optoelectronic devices.

SILK

In collaboration with the group of Prof. Fiorenzo Omenetto at Tufts University we are investigating the use of silk for making new strong biocompatible and biomimetic adhesives. We have also demonstrated new processing methods for silk fibroin and doping with lanthanide ions, chemical modification to enhance its hydrophobic behaviour and its use as reusable and highly versatile support for heterogeneous catalysis.