At TITK e.V. innovative, biodegradable materials based on proteins as native polymers are generated to produce fibers, strings, sheets or molded articles. Depending on the applied proteins dry/wet-spinning as well as melt spinning can be utilized for shaping.

For dry/wet spinning concentrated, viscous solutions of proteins have to be formed first, which are suitable for the process. Extensive characterization of protein solutions is performed by analyzing rheological parameters. After shaping the proteins will be regenerated by treatment in a coagulation bath.

In case of melt spinning the protein materials have to be fusible, but proteins can not be melted and are thermally instable at higher temperatures. Here our goal is to affect the thermal properties by chemical and/or physical modification of proteins in a way which allows a deformation process, e.g. in an extruder. Analytical methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), elementary analysis and IR spectroscopy are used for characterization of protein derivatives.

The manufactured protein fibers and products are analyzed for textile-physical and mechanical parameters such as yarn count, tensile strength and elongation etc.
For our modification and/or shaping experiments different kinds of proteins are used: plant proteins such as wheat gluten, corn zein, soy protein or pea protein as well as proteins from animal sources like silk fibroin, collagen or gelatin.

Products made of appropriate protein materials can be applied e.g. for construction, in packaging, as agricultural products and in medical sector like tissue engineering.

Contact

Mr. Dr. Frank Meister
Head of the department
Native polymers and Chemistry
phone: 0049 3672 / 379 200
fax:  0049 3672 / 379 379
email:  meister(a)titk.de

Thuringian Institute of Textile
and Plastics Research
Breitscheidstraße 97
07407 Rudolstadt
Germany
email: info(a)titk.de
phone: 0049 3672 / 379 0
fax:  0049 3672 / 379 379