Silkworm cocoon as natural material and structure for thermal insulation

► Silkworm cocoons provide significant buffer against temperature changes outside. ► Wild cocoons show stronger thermal damping over domestic types. ► Both cocoon walls and the volume of inner space contribute to thermal insulation. ► Calcium oxalate crystals enhance thermal insulation and stability...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials in engineering 2013-08, Vol.49, p.842-849
Main Authors: Zhang, J., Rajkhowa, R., Li, J.L., Liu, X.Y., Wang, X.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Assembly
Biological composite
Biological materials
Bombyx mori
Buffers
Damping
Domestic
Oxalates
Protection
Silk cocoon
Silkworms
Thermal insulation
Walls
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Summary:► Silkworm cocoons provide significant buffer against temperature changes outside. ► Wild cocoons show stronger thermal damping over domestic types. ► Both cocoon walls and the volume of inner space contribute to thermal insulation. ► Calcium oxalate crystals enhance thermal insulation and stability of cocoon assembly. Silkworm cocoons are important biological materials that protect silkworms from environmental threat and predator attacks. Silkworm cocoons are able to provide significant buffer against temperature changes outside of the cocoon structure. We present our investigation of the thermal insulation properties of both domestic and wild silkworm cocoons under warm conditions. Wild cocoons show stronger thermal buffer function over the domestic cocoon types. Both the cocoon walls and the volume of inner cocoon space contribute to the thermal damping behaviour of cocoons. Wild silkworm cocoons also have lower thermal diffusivity than domestic ones. Calcium oxalate crystals affects the thermal behaviour of wild silkworm cocoons, by trapping still air inside the cocoon structure and enhancing the thermal stability of the cocoon assembly. The research findings are of relevance to the bio-inspired design of new thermo-regulating materials and structures.
ISSN:0261-3069
DOI:10.1016/j.matdes.2013.02.006