Close Menu
Invest Intellect
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Invest Intellect
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
    • Home
    • Commodities
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Fintech
    • Investments
    • Precious Metal
    • Property
    • Stock Market
    Invest Intellect
    Home»Stock Market»Spider-Man web-slinging technology has become a reality
    Stock Market

    Spider-Man web-slinging technology has become a reality

    October 16, 20244 Mins Read


    Web-slinging technology inspired by Spider-Man is now a reality thanks to innovative work by researchers at Tufts University.

    This remarkable advancement uses silk-based materials to shoot a fluid through a fine needle, where it instantly solidifies into a strong, sticky string.

    The string is capable of adhering to surfaces and lifting objects with surprising strength and precision.

    Wonders of web-slinging technology

    The web-slinging technology involves the creation of sticky fibers sourced from silk moth cocoons.

    The cocoons, found within the Silklab of Tufts University, are processed in a solution until they break down into fibroin – the base proteins of the silk.

    Once extruded through fine bore needles, the silk fibroin solution transforms into a stream. Add the right ingredients, and this stream becomes a string the moment it hits open air.

    The natural marvel of silk

    Nature has always been a primary source of inspiration for the creation and utilization of silk fibers. Several creatures, from spiders and ants to butterflies and beetles, produce silk at some stage in their life cycle.

    The Silklab at Tufts University has been inspired by this natural marvel, leading to a series of remarkable developments.

    The researchers have created strong adhesives that function underwater, printable sensors, edible coatings to increase the life of produce, and eco-friendly microchip manufacturing methods.

    Inspiration strikes unexpectedly

    Despite their progress with silk-based materials, the researchers faced challenges in emulating the prowess of spiders, precisely controlling the stiffness, elasticity, and adhesive properties of the spun threads. However, a revelation arrived through a serendipitous event.

    “I was working on a project making extremely strong adhesives using silk fibroin, and while I was cleaning my glassware with acetone, I noticed a web-like material forming on the bottom of the glass,” said Marco Lo Presti, research assistant professor at Tufts.

    This accidental discovery facilitated the overcoming of several engineering hurdles in replicating spider threads.

    The magic of chemistry

    The researchers realized that silk fibroin solutions could form a semi-solid hydrogel over several hours when exposed to organic solvents like ethanol or acetone.

    The addition of dopamine, an element used in making adhesives, allowed the solidification process to occur almost instantly.

    The composition featuring dopamine and its polymers is similar to the chemistry that barnacles use to create fibers that adhere tenaciously to surfaces.

    In order to spin these fibers in the air, the researchers added dopamine to the silk fibroin solution. In the presence of dopamine, the transition from liquid to solid was accelerated by drawing water away from the silk.

    When launched through a coaxial needle, a thin stream of the silk solution gets enveloped by a layer of acetone, triggering the solidification.

    Real-life web-slinging technology

    The acetone evaporates mid-air, leaving behind a fiber attached to any object it comes in contact with.

    The researchers bolstered the silk fibroin-dopamine solution with chitosan, a derivative of insect exoskeletons, and borate buffer, which increased the adhesiveness and tensile strength of the fibers significantly.

    The device can shoot fibers capable of lifting objects over 80 times their own weight, and the diameter of the fibers can be varied depending on the needle’s bore.

    The researchers demonstrated this by accurately lifting various objects, including a cocoon, a steel bolt, a lab tube floating on water, a scalpel partially buried in sand, and a wood block – all from a distance of about 12 centimeters.

    Material inspired by a superhero

    “If you look at nature, you will find that spiders cannot shoot their web. They usually spin the silk out of their gland, physically contact a surface, and draw out the lines to construct their webs,” said Lo Presti.

    “We are demonstrating a way to shoot a fiber from a device, then adhere to and pick up an object from a distance. Rather than presenting this work as a bio-inspired material, it’s really a superhero-inspired material.”

    While natural spider silk is still markedly stronger than the human-made fibers, continual innovation promises to bridge this gap, opening up an array of possible technological applications.

    “As scientists and engineers, we navigate the boundary between imagination and practice. That’s where all the magic happens,” said Professor Fiorenzo Omenetto, director of the Silklab.

    “In this case, we wanted to reverse engineer our silk material to behave the way nature originally designed it, and comic book writers imagined it.”

    The study is published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

    —–

    Like what you read? Subscribe to our newsletter for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates. 

    Check us out on EarthSnap, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

    —–





    Source link

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq slip after record-setting surge as Nvidia earnings loom

    Stock Market

    North Korea unveils ‘unique technology’ in new air defence missile test

    Stock Market

    Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq futures hold near records after surge with Nvidia earnings in focus

    Stock Market

    Sensex Today | Stock Market LIVE Updates: Nifty heads into truncated week as Trump tariff deadline looms

    Stock Market

    Sequins, feathers… and a groundbreaking arrest using facial recognition cameras: The Daily Mail sees police deploy slick new technology at Notting Hill Carnival

    Stock Market

    ThingX Technology Launches Nuna Pendant This 2025Q3: The World’s First AI Emotion-Tracking Pendant

    Stock Market
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Top Picks
    Precious Metal

    Copper thefts blamed for extended AT&T outages in Tarrant County communities – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

    Commodities

    FG, AFTDAN partner to strengthen agricultural value chain and promote sustainable farming 

    Stock Market

    The Smartest Dividend Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

    Editors Picks

    Lilleshall’s green progress celebrated with silver accreditation

    August 21, 2025

    Klaus Schmitz – L’Agefi

    June 25, 2025

    Gold surrenders intraday gains; holds above $3,1,00 ahead of Trump’s tariffs announcement

    April 1, 2025

    Agricultural Occupancy Conditions explained and should they stay

    July 12, 2019
    What's Hot

    Student uncovers ‘rare’ Viking treasures with metal detector

    August 19, 2024

    Jinmao Property Services annonce l’acquisition de Jinmao Lvjian Chongqing

    April 30, 2025

    More property tax cuts could mean fewer tax breaks in Des Moines

    January 15, 2025
    Our Picks

    The Commodities Feed: Focus shifting back to tariffs | articles

    June 26, 2025

    l’Inde passe des quartiers d’affaires commerciaux aux quartiers d’affaires mondiaux

    June 19, 2025

    ‘Overlooked’ village is named one of UK’s best places to live | UK | Travel

    April 16, 2025
    Weekly Top

    Crescent Energy to Buy Vital Energy in $3-Billion Deal

    August 25, 2025

    Property reassessment in Monroe County to use satellite imaging

    August 25, 2025

    How to Build a FinTech Product That Solves Real-World Problems: By Nikunj Gundaniya

    August 25, 2025
    Editor's Pick

    Franklin County Agricultural Fair Celebrates Local Heritage and Community Spirit

    July 12, 2024

    responsAbility signe son retour dans la finance, après 10 ans d’absence

    May 5, 2025

    Nasuni obtient le statut de compétence AWS Energy & Utilities (domaine de l’énergie et des services publics)

    June 24, 2025
    © 2025 Invest Intellect
    • Contact us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms and Conditions

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.