Biopolymer optical waveguide and method of manufacturing the same
AssigneeTufts University/Trustees of Tufts College
InventorsDavid L. Kaplan, Fiorenzo Omenetto, Brian Lawrence, Mark Cronin-Golomb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical waveguide includes providing a biopolymer, unwinding the biopolymer progressively to extract individual biopolymer fibers, and putting the unwound fibers under tension. The tensioned fibers are then cast in a different polymer to form a biopolymer optical waveguide that guides light due to the difference in indices of refraction between the biopolymer and the different polymer. The optical fibers may be used in biomedical applications and can be inserted in the body as transmissive media. Printing techniques may be used to manufacture the biopolymer optical waveguides.
Claims27
A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical waveguide comprising:
- providing a first biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer comprises a protein having a beta-sheet secondary structure;
- and
- casting said first biopolymer in a second polymer to form a biopolymer optical waveguide, the second polymer forming a polymer overcoat cladding proximate to the first biopolymer, wherein said first biopolymer and said second polymer have different indices of refraction.
A method of manufacturing a biopolymer optical waveguide comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- printing a first biopolymer on said substrate, wherein the biopolymer comprises a protein having a beta-sheet secondary structure;
- depositing a second material on said first biopolymer to form said biopolymer optical waveguide, said second material having a lower index of refraction than said first biopolymer.
A biopolymer optical waveguide comprising:
- a first biopolymer, wherein the biopolymer comprises a protein having a beta-sheet secondary structure;
- and
- a second material covering said first biopolymer to form said biopolymer optical waveguide, said second material having a lower index of refraction than said first biopolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.