Fast scanning calorimetry of silk fibroin protein: Sample mass and specific heat capacity determination

Abstract

Our work over the past decade has involved thermal studies of fibrous proteins, especially those produced by silkworms and spiders, as well as genetically modified variants such as copolymers that maintain some of the important properties of the fibrous proteins [1-9]. The goals of our research include quantifying the thermal properties of crystallizable fibrous proteins, establishing connections between bio-derived fibrous proteins and synthetic polymers, and developing a knowledge base to enable use of fibrous proteins like silk, inside the human body in novel ways [10-13].