Spider-Man science: US researchers create super-strong silk
source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16399257
-
-
- CurrentUK
- added this
Ever wanted to be like Spider-Man? Your dream could be closer to coming true thanks to scientists who have created super-strong silk.
Researchers at the University of Wyoming have created genetically modified silkworms that can spin silk with the toughness of that produced by spiders.
Spider silk has been proven to be stronger than steel in weight-for-weight terms but it is not possible to produce commercially as arachnids don’t spin enough of it – plus they have a tendency to eat each other.
Taking the attributes of spider silk and applying it to silkworms allows the material to be produced in far greater volumes, making it possible to use the silk for stronger implants and sutures in the medical sector and for a more sustainable alternative to plastic in the packaging industry.
Whether it’ll be made available to aspiring superheroes remains to be seen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16399257
Researchers at the University of Wyoming have created genetically modified silkworms that can spin silk with the toughness of that produced by spiders.
Spider silk has been proven to be stronger than steel in weight-for-weight terms but it is not possible to produce commercially as arachnids don’t spin enough of it – plus they have a tendency to eat each other.
Taking the attributes of spider silk and applying it to silkworms allows the material to be produced in far greater volumes, making it possible to use the silk for stronger implants and sutures in the medical sector and for a more sustainable alternative to plastic in the packaging industry.
Whether it’ll be made available to aspiring superheroes remains to be seen.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16399257
-
- groups:
- Community, News and Politics, Tech, Culture, 8 more
-
- tags:
- Technology, superheroes, Spider-Man, Silk
-
-
remanns
-
very kewl. +^d
- 5 months ago
-
remanns
