METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING OBJECTS

摘要

The invention utilises the sol-gel transition behaviour of certain proteins for forming objects. The invention is directed to a method and apparatus for forming an object from a feedstock made of a protein solution, the protein undergoing a sol-gel transition and comprising the following steps: a first step of adjusting the conditions to cause the feedstock to flow to form the object from with the protein substantially in the sol state, a second step of adjusting the conditions of the feedstock either to gel the feedstock or to bring it close to the sol-gel transition point. Particularly preferred proteins are spidroin and fibroin, while one of the conditions of the feedstock will be adjusting the pH of the solution e.g. with a carboxylic acid.