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Scientists decode secret of spider silk's strength
Wednesday January 30, 2013 05:14:05 PM,
IANS
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Washington: Scientists
have cracked the secret of spider silk's strength and what makes
the fibre at least five times as tough as piano wire, weight for
weight.
Arizona State University researchers are studying the silk's
molecular structure in a bid to produce materials ranging from
bullet-proof vests to artificial tendons, using a sophisticated
but non-invasive laser light scattering technique.
"Spider silk has a unique combination of mechanical strength and
elasticity that make it one of the toughest materials we know,"
said Jeffery Yarger, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at
Arizona, who led the research, the journal Nature Materials
reported.
"This work represents the most complete understanding we have of
the underlying mechanical properties of spider silk," said Yarger,
according to an Arizona statement.
Spider silk is an exceptional biological polymer, related to
collagen (the material found in skin and bones) but much more
complex in its structure. The extensive array of elastic and
mechanical properties of spider silks in situ, obtained by the
team, is the first of its kind.
"This information should help provide a blueprint for structural
engineering of an abundant array of bio-inspired materials, such
as precise materials engineering of synthetic fibres to create
stronger and more elastic materials," explained Yarger, whose team
included Kristie Koski and undergraduate students Paul Akhenblit
and Keri McKiernan.
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