The secret of spider silk's strength revealed
Scientists have succeeded in uncovering the secrets behind the strength of spider silk. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
Research conducted by scientists from the Royal College of London and the University of California, San Diego is regarded as a significant scientific breakthrough in this field. Spider silk is known as one of the lightest and at the same time strongest natural materials.
It is stronger than steel and has advantages over tough materials like Kevlar. However, the molecular mechanisms behind its high strength and elasticity had not been fully studied until now.
During the research, scientists examined the interaction mechanisms between amino acids that make up the silk fiber. In particular, the amino acids arginine and tyrosine provide strength and elasticity to the material by stably bonding the proteins in the silk fiber.
According to the lead researcher, Professor Chris Lorenz, these amino acids help assemble the proteins into a special nanostructure, which gives rise to the legendary properties of silk. This discovery opens up possibilities for creating new bio-inspired materials.
Additionally, it plays an important role in understanding the molecular mechanisms of diseases such as Alzheimer's. The new materials can be widely used in manufacturing lightweight protective clothing, aviation industry components, medical implants, and soft robots.
