In order to thrive, intelligent species like humans recycle and reuse. Currently, materials such as paper, aluminum, and plastic are recognized recyclable materials. However, little is known about recycling and reusing dropped and unwanted hair. Hair has several unique characteristics. Mechanically, it has incredible strength and flexibility. Chemically, it has the ability to soak and retain not only water, but also oils and other chemicals. Much of these properties are result from the simplest structural portion: fibrous protein, keratin.
What is the structure of hair?
De Guzman, Roche. Schematic of Hair Fiber. Digital image. Hair Keratins. N.p., 09 Nov. 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.
What is hair made of?
Human hair consists mainly of the protein keratin.
Is anything else is made of keratin?
Keratin is can be found in snake scales, bird feathers, and mammalian hair, fur, and epithelial, or skin, cells. Unfortunately, current knowledge about this common protein and its possible applications is limited, the recycling of unused sources, such as dropped hair or fur, is not popular. However, since keratins are “biocompatible, biodegradable, hygroscopic, absorb heavy metal ions, formaldehyde, and other volatile organic compounds…keratin can be used… [as] films, sponges, nanofibres, microcapsules” and much more [1]. This developing knowledge opens up many possibilities in the development of hair recycling.
[1] Dullaart, Renke, João Mousquès, and Inc ebrary. Keratin: Structure, Properties, and Applications. New York: Nova Publishers, 2012. Print.
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