Indian researcher mimics spider-silk properties
The new technology could be used in a variety of applications including, tear-resistant clothes, light-weight medical devices, high heat-resistant scratch free coatings on surfaces, such as car windows, windows of buildings and others.
By PTI |
NEW DELHI: Amazing properties of spider-silk may still be a mystery for scientists around the world, but an Indian nano-technology researcher has been able to produce material that mimics the properties of this nature's wonder.
The new technology could be used in a variety of applications including, tear-resistant clothes, light-weight medical devices, high heat-resistant scratch free coatings on surfaces, such as car windows, windows of buildings and others.
"Engineers have been able to create materials that are either very strong or very stretchy, but it has been difficult to achieve both qualities in the same material, but through our technology the strength and stretchability achieved is comparable to spider silk," says Nitin Kumar, a former IITian and one of the developers of the technology at the Massachassets Institute of Technology, US.
Nanotechnology is basically a manipulation of atoms, molecules, and materials to form structures on the scale of nanometres (billionths of a metre)
"In our work we mimicked the nanoscale structure of spider silk by creating selective nano-reinforcements in a synthetic polymer. With our work we also conclusively proved the exceptional spider silk properties are a result of this natural bio-nanocomposite structure," says Kumar.
It is not that the nano-technology is not already in use. Many plastic, automobile and apparel companies are already using the technology.
Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
