Spider silk is one of nature’s strongest materials. It also has a high damping capacity, which allows the threads to absorb large amounts of energy, similar to a bungee cord. For years, scientists have been trying to create a synthetic spider silk that is as strong and elastic as the real thing. In 2017, researchers at the University of Cambridge came up with the closest imitation yet, a stretchy material with super-strong fibers. Even more astounding is the fact that the material is composed of 98% water. They’re hoping that this new material can be used in textiles and energy-absorbing applications such as bulletproof vests and helmets.
One tough little fiber:
The fibers are spun from a soupy mixture called a hydrogel. The remaining 2 percent of the concoction is silica and cellulose, which are both natural materials.
The fibers are pulled from the hydrogel in extremely thin threads, a few millionths of a meter in diameter. After about 30 seconds, the water evaporates -- leaving a super-stretchy fiber that’s stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar.
The results of the research appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Discuss this Article
Post your comments