Spider Silk - the Material of the Future
Abstract:
Spider silk is well known for its strength yet elastic nature, and for this reason scientists
and engineers from a wide variety of fields have begun researching its structure and the
possibility and methods of synthesizing spider silk for industrial use. However, extraction of
silk from spiders is not cost effective, so most research is focused on synthesis of spider silk
either chemically or using DNA recombinant technology. Although research is still at an early
stage and ongoing, it is only a matter of time before spider silk can be successfully synthesized
for industrial use.
Results:
Nature is truly a master architect. With relatively few raw materials, it is able to create a
diverse array of biological life forms and biological materials essential for the survival of all
life forms on earth. Some of Nature’s materials continue to
amaze scientists and exceed the characteristics of artificial
materials. One such material is spider silk. Spiders rely on
their silk for a variety of functions, and their silk are
exceptionally light, tough, stiff, and extensible even when
compared to the strongest synthetic materials. Each family
of spider spins different types of silk, but silk from the
Nephila Clavipes (the golden orb-weaving spider) (see
Figure 1: Nephila Clavipes
figure 1) and Araneus diadematus (common garden spider) are the strongest among spiders,
and have been the focus of scientists’ research in recent years.[5]
Orb weaving spiders produce various types of silk from seven different glands. Dragline
and Viscid silk fibers are the strongest silk produced by orb weaving spiders, and are the most
closely studied. Dragline silk is used to make the ra...
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...&version=1.0>.
[8] Tirrell, David A. "Putting a new spin on spider silk. " Science. 271.n5245 (Jan 5,
1996): 39(2). Expanded Academic ASAP. Gale. Phillips Academy. 24 July 2008
s&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=EAIM&docId=A17812077&source=gale&srcprod=E
AIM&userGroupName=mlin_n_phillips&version=1.0>.
Pictures Sources:
Figure 1:
July 30, 2008. http://www.spiderzrule.com/spider806/IMG_3533_small.JPG
Figure 2:
Royal Society of Chemistry. July 30, 2008.
http://www.rsc.org/ej/SM/2006/b600098n/b600098n-f1.gif
Figure 3:
MCAT. July 30, 2008. http://www.mcat45.com/images/Beta-Sheets-MCAT.png
Figure 4:
Citizendium July 30, 2008. http://en.citizendium.org/images/2/29/BetaSheetByDEVolk.jpg
Figure 5:
July 30, 2008. http://www.scq.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/silkstrand.gif
...hese materials were used because they could be easily found at a low price compared to Hemp fiber and silk. Hemp fiber and silk were used at first but then the Chinese realized there are greater uses for this material. Therefore they started to use the worn fishnet, bark and cloth.
Fiber is a threadlike material that can be found in a natural or manmade form. Natural fibers derive from various animals, plants and can even be produced by insects. These fibers have been in use since prehistoric times and are currently produced today. The most common natural fibers used are linen, wool, silk and cotton. They have been woven together to create fabrics for clothing and other items. A natural protein fiber, called wool, was discovered before 10,000 B.C.E. and woven into cloth by 1900 B.C.E. Wool comes from predominantly sheep but is also found in other animals such as, llamas, alpacas, camels and goats. Tribes in North Europe spun wool using a crude spindle, which is a stick with a stone or clay ring connected to the end to make yarn. They also made wool into cloth by weaving the thread in a criss cross style. Some humans 8,000 years ago had domesticated sheep specifically for the production of wool and other uses. In 4,000 B.C.E. the city of Babylon also known as the “Land of Wool”, had bought and sold woolen cloth which was important to their society. Over the years spinning and weaving machines were constantly improved like the spinning jenny built in 1767 with many spindles placed side to side allowing it to operate 120 spindles at once. Weaving wool became more machinery based rather than using the traditional manual weaving (“History of Wool”, n.d.). In order to create the fiber wool, there is a process of cutting the hair from the animal which is usually done manually by shearing specialist. After cutting, the sheared wool is cleaned and brushed to straighten out the fiber strands by hand. The wool is then placed into a carding machine where it goes through many bristled rollers and roved. The carding process separates the wool into small pieces and cooled in spools at the end of the machine. Soon the wool is spun into yarn and woven into cloth. Before this machinery process, many women known as spinsters took on the task of turn wool into cloth manually. Wool is commonly used to create sweater garments and coats for cool weather (“History of Fibers”, n.d.). The Fiber repels water well and fabric feels dry in damp or wet weather. A downside to wearing wool is that it attracts moths and carpet beetles that feed on the fabric.
Early dyes were made using natural resources, like plants, berries, minerals, and seeds. Some of the earliest examples of cloth dyed with these natural substances come from ancient Egypt. During ancient times, the cloths, just like the dyes, were made from natural fibers, like cotton, linen, and wool. Later, as advancements were made in chemistry and manufacturing, humans learned to make synthetic fibers. By understanding how the molecules of dye react with the fibers, chemists can design many vibrant dyes that do not fade or run off when washed. In addition to what type of material they are made from, another way to categorize fibers is by their chemistry. Cotton and linen fibers are cellulose-based. Cellulose is the main component of plant
Kevlar is a material make by joining para-phenylenediamine and terephthaloyl chloride. Sweet-smelling polyamide (aramid) strings are the outcome. They are further refined, by dissolving the strings and turning them into general filaments. Whenever woven, Kevlar® frames a solid and adaptable
Norman, Jeremy. From Cave Paintings to the Internet, "Lombe's Silk Throwing Mill: The First Factory." Last modified 2013. Accessed December 7, 2013. http://www.historyofinformation.com/expanded.php?id=3734.
Vectran is 5 to 10 times stronger than steel. They have another rapidly emerging fiber called spider silk. The resulting spider silk is biosteel. A strand of biosteel can be up to 20 times stronger than a strand of steel. To have a hard body armor, you have to make it out of thick ceramic or metal plates.
The Nihon-Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) was recorded by Korean representative at the time silk was first introduced to Japan in the second century, to Empress Jinju Kogo by the King of Silla. Silla is now North and South Korea. The Nihon-Shoki also reports that in 286 C.E. the King of Baekche presented a silk craftswoman, with 120 silk workers to help spread the teaching of making silk. In 330 C.E., the King of Silla presented about 35,040 yards of silk to the Emperor Nintoku. (Chung)
It is possible for the structure of the dragonfly and its thin material-like dragonfly win...
Due to James Kay’s invention of the flying shuttle, there was a great imbalance in the 1730’s between weavers and spinners. Kay made it possible for weavers to quickly produce the amount of fabric that was demanded, but the spinners were still unable to make thread t...
This golden yellow colour silk is prerogative of India and the pride of Assam state. It is obtained from semi-domesticated multivoltine silkworm, Antheraea assamensis. These silkworms feed on the aromatic leaves of Som and Soalu plants and are reared on trees similar to that of tasar. Muga culture is specific to the state of Assam and an integral part of the tradition and culture of that state. The muga silk, an high value product is used in products like sarees, mekhalas, chaddars, etc..
Weaving is a common thread among cultures around the world. Weaving is a way of producing cloth or textile. Today we have machines that weave large-scale textiles at cheap prices. Production of cloth by hand is rarely engaged in today’s Westernized societies. Not many people are thinking about how the fibers are actually constructed to make their clothes. However, in other cultures across the world the tradition of weaving still exists. By comparing three cultures that continue weaving as a part of their tradition we can see similarities and the differences between them. The reasons that each culture still weaves vary, as do the methods and materials. The desired characteristics of the cloth also vary around the world as each culture values different aesthetics.
After the raw materials have been converted into yarn, they're ready for the second step in the production process, which involves joining these individual threads together to form fabric. This process of joining the yarn together is called weaving. Weaving is done on a machine known as a loom and requires two sets of yarn. The first set, called the warp set, is strung tautly across a metal frame. The second, called the weft, is connected to metal rods, with one thread per rod. The loom is controlled by a computer, which lets the weft know how the fabric should
Life according to scientists is “the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death, also the way of life of a human being or animal.”("Life,”) In order for one to have life, one must have the nine characteristics to be considered a living thing. These nine characteristics are; all living things are made up of cells, living things are able to reproduce, living thing use energy, maintain homeostasis, respond and adapt to the environment, grow and develop, have a life span, evolve over time, and are interdependence. All of the nine characteristics have one thing in common, something that is needed for all living things to use, even if they do not know it. This beautiful thing that all living things should value is photosynthesis. Without photosynthesis there wouldn’t consist humans, animals, insects, and most importantly life!
Sewing threads can be classified on the basis of type of fibre to be used, thread construction and finishes applied to the surface of thread. Threads can be manufactured form natural or synthetic fibres. Natural threads include cotton, linen and silk thread. Cotton thread is of three types: soft, glace and mercerized. Soft thread receives no special treatment other than bleaching or dyeing. Glace thread have a surface coating while mercerized thread is treated with caustic soda to produce thread with high lustre. Cotton thread have good sewability, good dye take-up but low strength. Linen thread have good strength and stiffness than cotton. Silk thread have high extensibility up to 20% which is an important factor adding to the strength of silk thread. It is available both in spun and filament form.[5] Most common synthetic threads include polyester and nylon. Both threads are stronger, more resistant to abrasion, mildew and ultraviolet radiation and have less shrinkage than cotton.[2] Moreover due to their
In order to artificially synthesize spider silk into fibres, there are two areas that has to be