Directed patterning of the self-assembled silk-elastin-like nanofibers using a nanomechanical stimulus

Abstract

We investigate the effects of the frequency and density of a nanomechanical stimulus on nucleation and growth of silk-elastin-like protein polymer (SELP) nanofibers. Repetitive tappings are crucial to create nucleation areas and a potential molecular level mechanism was proposed. Using this technique mechanically guided nanofiber patterns were successfully created.