Insect-based NanoFibers for everyday USE (INFUSE)

Insects as a source of biomass remains a largely unexplored field with most emphasis given to the exploitation of larvae as source of edible proteins and lipids, while adults are generally discarded at the end of their life cycle. Most adult insects present a protecting exoskeleton, consisting of a chitin-protein composite material, with fascinating mechanical properties, similar to many high-performance polymers. However, all attempts to utilize this biomass focus on obtaining chitosan, a deacetylated version of chitin, with none of the mechanical properties that make exoskeletons such a fascinating biopolymer. INFUSE intends to challenge the currently accepted methodology by exploring green mechanochemical routes that preserve and “reshape” the existing chitin-protein exoskeleton and produce revolutionary lightweight, sustainable materials. The success of this project will shift the way biomass is processed and lead the way to new avenues of valorization.