Background

The following covers briefly why spider silk is such a desirable product, what properties make it unique, and how spider silk can be applied towards a variety of useful applications.

Overview of spider silk properties and origin

Properties of spider silk compared with other similar materials (Foo et al., 2002).

Orb-Weaver Spiders

• Most common group of builders of spiral wheel-shaped webs.
• Include over 10,000 species and make up about 25% of spider diversity.
• Can produce up to six high-performance silk fibers and a specialized glue.
• Major ampullate dragline silk, one of the six solid fibers, is a molecular composite of two main proteins: MaSp1 and MaSp2.














Image of the orb-weaver Argiope aurantia and its web

Spider Silk Applications

Spider Silk has many potential applications. Its unique properties of strength, elasticity, as well as being lightweight, allow it to be an excellent biomaterial. Imagine the day when artificial tendons and ligaments or bridge cables are constructed with spider silk. This biomaterial could be used to keep people safe in ways such as in air bags, seat belts, body armor, rock climbing ropes or cords for parachutes. These are just a few of the ways spider silk could be used. Scroll over the photos for applications.

URL Credits for Photos:

1. http://www.winwallpapers.net/w1/2011/03/Golden-Gate-Bridge.jpg
2. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W__6FeTrx74/TqiVI7MDamI/AAAAAAAAAHg/YRq2m6lSYUY/s1600/airbags.jpg/
3. http://www.lotus-surgicals.com/subcategoryimages/20090310022724_products1.jpg
4. http://sblazak.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/parachute1.jpg
5. http://lecyberpunk.deviantart.com/art/spider-web-vector-157436131
6. http://www.safeguardarmour.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/g/o/goretexreal_7.jpghttp://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2011/10/05/8856354/PRW_wearing-a-bullet-resistant-vest.jpg
7. http://www.usoutdoor.com/spyder/spyder-silver-dip-dry-web-tneck/
8. http://www.eorthopod.com/images/ContentImages/foot/foot_achilles/foot_achilles_tendon_anatomy01a.jpg
9. http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/seatbelt-testing-sxc.jpg

Design

Experimental