Secrets of spider silk untangled
Baku, March 11 (AZERTAC). Scientists from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies believe they have learned the secrets of spider silk, with new understanding of its structure down to the atomic level, according to research published in the Biophysical Journal in February.
Spiders spin silk which they use in their webs and to suspend themselves. The substance is remarkably strong and stretchy, and scientists have been trying to find out more about its composition for years. Now a team of researchers, including senior study author, Frauke Graeter, believe they have gained deeper insight into the nature of this fundamental mystery.
"Because silk fibres continue to outperform their artificial counterparts in terms of toughness, many studies have tried to understand the mechanical characteristics of these extraordinary natural fibres," Graeter said in a press release.
The study revealed new information about the molecular structure underlying the mechanical characteristics of spider silk fibres. "Silk fibers exhibit astonishing mechanical properties," Graeter said. "They have an ultimate strength comparable to steel, toughness greater than Kevlar and a density less than cotton or nylon."
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