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Templated native silk smectic gels

  • US 7,572,894 B2
  • Filed: 10/31/2003
  • Issued: 08/11/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2002
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of obtaining predominantly one enantiomer from a mixture of enantiomers, comprising the steps of:

  • a. contacting an aqueous fibrous protein solution with a solvent that is not miscible with water, wherein the fibrous protein is selected from the group consisting of silk, collagens, keratins, actins, chorions, and seroins;

    b. allowing the solution in contact with the solvent to age at about room temperature or under conditions preventing evaporation or both;

    c. allowing the enantiomers of the mixture to diffuse selectively into the resulting fibrous protein smectic hydrogel in solution;

    d. removing the smectic hydrogel from the solution;

    e. rinsing predominantly a first enantiomer from the surface of the smectic hydrogel; and

    f. extracting predominantly a second enantiomer from the interior of the smectic hydrogel.

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