Fractal approach to heat transfer in silkworm cocoon hierarchy

Abstract

Silkworm cocoon has a complex hierarchic structure with discontinuity. In this paper, heat transfer through the silkworm cocoon is studied using fractal theory. The fractal approach has been successfully applied to explain the fascinating phenomenon of cocoon survival under extreme temperature environment. A better understanding of heat transfer mechanisms for the cocoon could be beneficial to the design of biomimetic clothes for special applications.