Science Japanese scientists develop synthetic spider silk as revolutionary fabric

Spiders create a silk that rivals steel in strength, stretches with remarkable elasticity, and is produced in harmony with nature. Its possible uses range from surgical sutures to automotive components, making it one of the most versatile materials known. Yet producing it on a large scale has always been the stumbling block. Attempts to raise spiders for their silk have failed, since they are solitary creatures that often turn on one another, while laboratory-made versions have never fully matched the toughness of the natural fibre. That picture has begun to change. A Japanese research team has uncovered the secret of the spider's spinning process and succeeded in replicating it with synthetic materials.



With biotechnology firms now preparing to manufacture these artificial silks as eco-friendly substitutes for nylon, polyester, and other oil-based textiles, the prospect of spider-inspired fabrics moving into everyday use is closer than ever.

Arachnids produce several types of silk for different purposes, including building webs, wrapping prey, protecting their offspring and escaping from predators. These silks are all distinct from one another and are produced in different glands. Of these varieties, "draglines," which spiders use to dangle from and move about, are particularly enticing to researchers. Draglines are believed to have a tensile strength exceeding 1 gigapascal, which is comparable to steel, and more than twice as strong as silkworm silk. In addition, the draglines are tough, capable of absorbing twice as much energy before breaking as nylon, which is among the strongest man-made materials. The idea of putting this marvelous material to practical use is not new. One researcher made a pair of gloves and other items using spider silk in early 18th-century France, and fabrics made of naturally golden spider silk were among the exhibits in the 1900 Paris Exposition.

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Artificial spider silk could be put to work in many fields, from surgical applications to shock-absorbing components in vehicles, and even as part of structural materials in construction. Yet one weakness still limits its wider use: it reacts strongly to moisture. When spider silk absorbs water, the fibres stretch; when they dry out, they contract. The researchers are working on modifying the amino acid sequences that make up the spider silk structure to produce synthetic threads that resist water more effectively and are therefore better suited to everyday industrial and medical use.

No one asked

There was news six years ago about bagworm silk surpassing spider silk. In addition, an article from November 2024 reported that it had been successfully put into practical use. I'm curious about how it will compete with this silk.

"Stronger than the 'strongest in nature' spider silk: Bagworm silk" (Dec. 8, 2018)

A technology has been developed to commercialize bagworm silk, which surpasses spider silk once believed to be the strongest material in nature. Bagworm silk is about twice as strong as the silk of orb-weaver spiders, which had been considered the strongest natural fiber. It is thinner than human hair and resistant to heat.

World's First! Commercialization of Fibers Made from Bagworm Silk: "A Potential Alternative to Synthetic and Carbon Fibers" (Nov. 20, 2024)

Major pharmaceutical company Kowa, headquartered in Nagoya, announced that it has succeeded in commercializing fibers made from bagworm silk. Since 2016, Kowa has been conducting joint research with national research institutes, focusing on the strength of silk produced by bagworms when they build their cases.
The company reports that it has now established a method for large-scale production of fibers made from bagworm silk. According to Kowa, bagworm silk surpasses spider silk—long regarded as having the highest shock-absorbing properties in nature—combining the elasticity of synthetic rubber with the strength of carbon fiber.
Kowa President Yoshihiro Miwa stated:
"Bagworm silk has the potential to bring innovation to the world as a replacement for chemical and carbon fibers."
Because these fibers are made from natural bagworm silk, they are biodegradable and cause no environmental burden when disposed of.
Looking ahead, they may be widely used in fields such as aerospace and automobiles. In the near future, a sports manufacturer engaged in joint development with Kowa is expected to unveil products that utilize this fiber.
[TV Asahi News]