Development of a strong and sustainable silk to replace the current synthetic fibers

Chinese scientists were able to use genetic engineering to make spider web about 6 times stronger than Kevlar, thus creating a creative and green alternative to nylon and Kevlar.

According to Tekna technology and technology news service, researchers produced a type of spider web with new fibers with the help of genetically modified silkworms. The new silk is very strong and can be used instead of synthetic fibers such as nylon with better quality.

Yuning, one of the senior scientists of this research from the University of Life Sciences of Donghua University in China, said in this regard: Currently, the silkworm produces the only available animal silk fibers, and so far it has become established on a commercial scale with breeding techniques. . On the other hand, the use of genetically modified silkworms can produce spider silk fibers, which are very low-cost in the commercial sector and allow for production on a larger scale.

Currently, the silk fibers produced by silkworms are very fragile despite their abundance. While spider webs are very tough and strong, they are very difficult to mass produce. These researchers announced that due to the nature of cannibalism in spiders, it is not possible to breed them together and mass produce their webs.

The new study could be one of the best methods for the sustainable production of this natural substance and after a decade of efforts, it could somehow complete this guideline.