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Scientists Crack Silk's Secret

AEton writes "Researchers at Tufts University have reportedly discovered the mechanism by which spidersilk is produced. Besides the obvious use as a Kevlar substitute in bulletproof vests, silk has applications in microprocessor production, nanoscale optical fiber, a and any other application requiring strength and flexbility. Scientists have long grappled with the issue of creating silk; artificial silk is inferior to the real stuff, and the spiders can't be farmed (when you put them too close together, they eat each other). The method these Tufts researchers have found makes "strong silk" production feasible; if they can make it economical, the impact on safety equipment alone makes this material a worthwhile investment."

7 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. You twit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Fucking lameass filter

  2. Re:Before it gets /.'d by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Karma whoring karma whore Karma whoring karma whore
    OPEAUFAHIOSUNRGGhKarma whoring karma whore Karma whoring karma whore

  3. Re:It's already been done by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    Dear sir or madam, it's my duty to inform you that by posting this, you have just committed a mortal sin and will burn in hell for it.

  4. The bitter truth by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    You're just another fucknut.

  5. Yes by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    One of them comes out of a worm. The other is produced by spiders.

  6. Re:A changing world... by Choobius+Gothicus · · Score: 1, Troll

    Not unless someone invents a "Star Trek"-like replicator. I assume your thought is that BMWs may someday become less costly, but nowhere near $20. Raw material costs exceed that 100 fold alone. In addition, what is your definition of artificial manufacturing for automobiles? In actuality, vehicles are manufactured partially by robots, which could be construed as "artificial".

  7. Re:A changing world... by ebyrob · · Score: -1, Troll

    Talk to someone from Morning Star Fellowship Church about evolution for a little while.

    Oh, evolution. That thing science doesn't understand which is used to explain everything? I'm sure I would have great fun watching you in that discussion... Care to prove the earth is at least 3.8 billion years old, sure I'll go along with that. Looking to show how humans arose from apes? It starts looking pretty random to me.

    Truth, that little thing inside of everyone that no one else can quite get a strangle-hold on.