Manufacture
Large three-dimensional functional objects made from chitosan.
Bioinspired materials, a manufacturing concept inspired by natural nacre, shrimp carapace or insect cuticles,has led to development of methods to manufacture large scale consumer objects using chitosan.This method is based on replicating the molecular arrangement of chitosan from natural materials into fabrication methods, such as injection molding or mold casting.Once discarded, chitosan-constructed objects are biodegradable and non-toxic. The method is being explored to engineer human organs or tissues using three-dimensional bioprinting.
Pigmented chitosan objects can be recycled,[41] with the option of reintroducing or discarding the dye at each recycling step, enabling reuse of the polymer independently of colorants.[42][43] Unlike other plant-based bioplastics (e.g. cellulose, starch), the main natural sources of chitosan are from marine environments and do not compete for land or other human resources.[44][31]
The fabrication of large objects with chitosan applies concepts from Shrilk, a chitosan material that replicates insect cuticle and a fibroin protein from silk for uses in bioengineering.[45][46]