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Insect Substance Synthesized For Science

Posted by Zonk on from the boing-boing-boing dept.

An anonymous reader wrote to mention an article discussing the successful synthesis of resilin, a super-elastic material used by insects to perform amazing feats. From the article: "Dr. Elvin predicted the substance would lead to everything from artificial arteries to spinal parts that would not wear out despite being flexed 100 million times. 'That's how many times you move your back in 50 or 60 years,' he said. It could also be used in micro electronics. 'We even imagine putting it in running shoes.'"

3 of 224 comments (clear)

  1. secret identity by nielkosh · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It looks a bit spaghetti [but] we can cast it in any shape. Dr. Elvin, I presume? Or is it .... Peter Parker...

  2. Re:Why do insects produce such amazing substances? by duffahtolla · · Score: 5, Insightful
    What is it about insects that they produce such desireable materials?

    Short life span, and extreme numbers give them accelerated evolution compared to other animals.

  3. doubtful by Loconut1389 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    While resilin sounds interesting, the article seems a bit hyped up...

    "If humans had such pads they could leap 100-storey buildings"

    That sounds like unsubstantiated exxageration- eg no reality behind it. Now it may be true, but seems highly improbable to me?

    I hope resilin does neat things, but I'd rather read about it in Science magazine or Scientific American.