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In Images: Amazing Artificial Spider Silk

Unassuming creatures

Madagascar Orb Weaving Spider in Web

(Image credit: Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS)

Though spider silk may seem unremarkable, it is one of the toughest materials in the world. Recent research has shown how to mass produce this remarkable fiber in the lab.

Incredibly tough

biomimicry, animal-inspired technology

(Image credit: Hellen Grig , Shutterstock)

Spider silk can withstand high tension and yet maintain its elasticity. But because spiders are hostile and territorial, harvesting spider silk from animals is unrealistic.

Past work

artificial spider silk

(Image credit: Marlene Andersson)

Past attempts to make spider silk in the lab have led to underwhelming results, such as clumps of unusable spider silk proteins or very low yields. However, the new researchers were able to make large quantities of strong, flexible spider silk by mimicking the conditions inside the spider.

Shear strength

spider silk in glass capillary tube

(Image credit: Marlene Andersson)

For instance, a thin glass capillary tube produces shear force that causes individual silk proteins to align and link up. In the spider, a similar narrow tube is used to produce long strands of silk from thick viscous liquid filled with spider silk proteins.

Nest of spider silk

nest of artificial spider silk

(Image credit: Lena Holm)

The synthetic fiber is similar to real spider silk. What's more, the new technique produced large quantities of the fiber. Here, a nest of synthetic spider silk.

Not quite there

artificial spider silk on a spool

(Image credit: Marlene Andersson)

Though the artificial spider silk is strong and flexible, it's not quite as tough as the real thing, meaning it still breaks more easily. Here, the artificial silk wound on a spool.