Spider Silk is the Material of the Future Essay -- Material Silk

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... ...&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 Spider Silk is the Material of the Future Essay -- Material Silk 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... ...&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