Scientists invent technology to produce spider silk

28 Jul '10

2 min read

South Korean scientists have invented a technology to artificially develop spider dragline silk proteins, which can be made use of in making ultra-strong synthetic fibres and bullet-proof vests.

Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) team, led by Bio-molecular engineering professor, Lee Sang-yup have made use of new, 'system metabolic engineering' process to manufacture the fibre that has tensile strength, even more than that of high-grade steel.

As per scientists, tests carried out on the fibre showcased, it had the strength of Kevlar, which is mainly used to create bullet-proof vests and parachutes, and it could possibly also have other wide range of applications in the medical industry.

Such materials can be utilised in creating artificial ligaments, surgical thread or heavy-duty construction supplies such as suspension bridge cables and the like.

Lee Sang-yup further informed that, numerous attempts made in creating synthetic spider silk have failed so far, owing to higher concentration of amino acid glycine in fibre protein, which most people were unable to copy.

Sang-yup also added that, since a practical production process has been developed, additional work could produce material with higher commercial characteristics.

Research and preliminary tests on the fibre took Lee Sang-yup and his team more than two years and the funding for the same was provided by Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India

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