Scientists have created a synthetic spider silk that is 98% water and has super-strong fibers, similar to the real thing. The fibers are spun from a hydrogel mixture and can be used in applications such as bulletproof vests and helmets.
Spider silk is one of the strongest materials in nature. It also has a high damping capacity, which allows the threads to absorb large amounts of energy, similar to a bungee cord. For years, scientists have been trying to create synthetic spider silk that is as strong and supple as the real thing. In 2017, researchers at the University of Cambridge came up with the closest imitation, a stretchy material with super-strong fibers. Even more surprising is the fact that the material is 98% water. They hope this new material could be used in textile and energy-absorbing applications such as bulletproof vests and helmets.
A small hard fiber:
The fibers are spun from a thick mixture called a hydrogel. The remaining 2% of the blend is silica and cellulose, both of which are natural materials.
The fibers are pulled from the hydrogel into extremely fine threads, a few millionths of a meter in diameter. After about 30 seconds, the water evaporates, leaving a super elastic fiber that is stronger than steel and tougher than Kevlar.
The research results appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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