Microscopic Image of Silk Optical Implant (IMAGE)

Tufts University

Microscopic Image of Silk Optical Implant

Caption

This is a microscopic image of a silk optical implant created when purified silk protein is poured into molds in the shape of multiple micro-sized reflectors and then air-dried. When implanted in tissue and illuminated, the "silk mirrors" caused more light to be reflected from within the tissue allowing for enhanced imaging. Later, the reflector was harmlessly reabsorbed in living tissue and did not need to be removed.

Credit

Fiorenzo Omenetto

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