Fused Silk Material: A Sustainable Alternative to Carbon Fiber and Kevlar

Researchers have developed a method to create an ultra-strong solid material by fusing natural silk fibers using heat and pressure. Unlike previous methods that dissolved silk into proteins, this process preserves the fiber's molecular structure, resulting in a biocompatible material that rivals the toughness of Kevlar and outperforms wood. This sustainable composite has potential applications in medical implants, such as orthopedic plates and screws, and could support future 6G communication technologies due to its ability to polarize terahertz radiation.