Summary
- Researchers at Tufts University’s Silklab are developing a device that can shoot webs of strong adhesive fibres into the air, much like Spider-Man.
- The device uses a combination of silk fibroin from Japanese silk moth cocoons and the biopolymer chitosan to produce the fibre.
- Although the current fibre is only capable of lifting small objects, such as a 2g bolt or a 5g wood block, the potential applications are limitless.
- Lo Presti, who is leading the research, said the fibre could be used to retrieve objects lost underwater or on the ground, for example.
- He said the strength of the fibre could be improved with further development, reaching the point where it could lift heavier objects.
Original Article