New research finds that spider webs may be the strongest materials of the present, considering we add graphene to the composition of spider silk. A group of scientists conducted an experiment which showed very interesting results
As opposed to the Spiderman story, where human powers were a result of a spider wound provoking super powers, this time the spiders were sprayed graphene and carbon. What happened? The strongest and toughest spider webs ever produced.
Even if spiders were slower in developing their webs of silk due to human intervention in their natural producing environment, with hard work they managed to give birth to what it could be one of the strongest materials in the world.
The silk was up to 5 times tougher than the best produced silk, the one produced by the giant riverine orb spider.
Scientists assume that the carbon materials were absorbed into the spider’s anatomy and became incorporated into the silk they produced. However, a balance must be taken into account, because no less than four spiders died before having the chance to offer the wondrous webs of silk.
Another hypothesis on the way they could integrate graphene and carbon literally coated the outside of the threads. However, the procedure is still pretty much risky for the spiders who get sick from the injections. The technique needs to be upgraded as to prevent death among the heroes.
The strengthened spired webs created by the injected spiders were supposedly an effect of the animals trying to get rid of the foreign substance through their silk, obviously unaware of the wonders they were making.
This type of super silk can be the best new discovery when it comes to sutures in medicine, reinforced armor or bionics.
Studies will probably evolve with further testing on limpets, who were known to deliver the strongest biological material known to the human mind and eye.
Spiders are now racing along with limpets, to see which of them can provide one of the greatest wonders in science and biology. The only amendment that must be taken into account is that everything must be carried out with tact, because we don’t want innocent creatures getting killed by human intervention in nature’s course.
Image Source: https://scienceblogs.com/
chelseyam says
I don’t think the research is anything new. Scientists have
been on spider silk long enough for them to combine genes with goats in order
to mass produce the stuff. It’s still incredible to think of a superhero using
this substance to take down the bad guys though.
https://spidersilkthebook.blogspot.com/