Spider Silk Coated With Carbon Nanotubes Has Multiple Surprising Uses - Polidicks

[url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130913185845.htm[/url] [IMG]http://images.sciencedaily.com/2013/09/130913185845.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE][B]Eden Steven, a physicist at Florida State University's MagLab facility, discovered that simple methods can result in surprising and environmentally friendly high-tech outcomes during his experiments with spider silk and carbon nanotubes, the results of which are now published in the online research journal Nature Communications.[/B] "If we understand basic science and how nature works, all we need to do is find a way to harness it," Steven said. "If we can find a smart way to harness it, then we can use it to create a new, cleaner technology." Steven is the lead investigator on the paper "Carbon nanotubes on a spider silk scaffold." The experiment may result in practical applications in electrical conductivity and more. Think of a nanotube as a one-atom thick sheet of carbon that's been rolled into an infinitesimally tiny tube. A nanotube's diameter is at least 10,000 times smaller than a strand of human hair. Physicists know that when things get that microscopically minute, they act very strange. Researchers worldwide are intrigued by the properties of carbon nanotubes, including their amazing strength and ability to conduct electricity and heat. Steven wanted to see what would happen when strands of spider silk were coated with carbon nanotubes. Keeping with his theme of simplicity, he gathered the spider silk himself, hiking around the MagLab and using a stick to gather webs. To adhere the powdery carbon nanotubes to the spider silk, he ultimately discovered that just a drop of water worked best. "It turns out that this high-grade, remarkable material has many functions," Steven said of the silk coated in carbon nanotubes. "It can be used as a humidity sensor, a strain sensor, an actuator (a device that acts as an artificial muscle, for lifting weights and more) and as an electrical wire." Rather than add to the already immense amount of toxic elements and complex, non-biodegradable plastics found in today's electronic devices and as pollution in our environment, Steven wanted to investigate eco-friendly materials. He was especially interested in materials that could deal with humidity without complicated treatments and chemical additives. Spider silk fit the bill. "Understanding the compatibility between spider silk and conducting materials is essential to advance the use of spider silk in electronic applications," Steven wrote in the Nature Communications paper. "Spider silk is tough, but becomes soft when exposed to water. … The nanotubes adhere uniformly and bond to the silk fiber surface to produce tough, custom-shaped, flexible and electrically conducting fibers after drying and contraction."[/QUOTE]

Now we need to genetically engineer a spider that would weave carbon nanotube webs.

Strong, superconductive cobwebs? Yeah, no thanks.

This article helped me win my game of 'bleeding edge research buzzwords' bingo.

[QUOTE=Major_Vice;42214124]This article helped me win my game of 'bleeding edge research buzzwords' bingo.[/QUOTE] I'm still missing "the cloud" and "absolutely magical" on mine :/ Oh well, I'm just a Apple advert away from finishing it.

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;42214076]Now we need to genetically engineer a spider that would weave carbon nanotube webs.[/QUOTE] This is how the world ends.

I want to see spider silk medical spray also, applications in welding, computers, and a bajillion other things.

[QUOTE=Major_Vice;42214124]This article helped me win my game of 'bleeding edge research buzzwords' bingo.[/QUOTE] Say what? This sounds fun.

[QUOTE=Major_Vice;42214124]This article helped me win my game of 'bleeding edge research buzzwords' bingo.[/QUOTE] How do you play this? I would love to join.

[QUOTE=Reshy;42214007][url]http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130913185845.htm[/url] [IMG]http://images.sciencedaily.com/2013/09/130913185845.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] FSU? So, spider silk coated with carbon nanotubes can be used to fuck shit up?

[quote]Steven wanted to see what would happen when strands of spider silk were coated with carbon nanotubes. Keeping with his theme of simplicity, he gathered the spider silk himself, hiking around the MagLab and using a stick to gather webs. To adhere the powdery carbon nanotubes to the spider silk, he ultimately discovered that just a drop of water worked best.[/quote] This is how cutting edge science is done, boys.

[QUOTE=Van-man;42214136]I'm still missing "my butt" and "absolutely magical" on mine :/ Oh well, I'm just a Apple advert away from finishing it.[/QUOTE] wait what

spiderman's gonna electrocute shit in the sequel

So when do we get our condoms made out of nanotubes

Does it work with ordinary silkworms? I imagine it is easier to work with them since we already domesticated them.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;42214753]Does it work with ordinary silkworms? I imagine it is easier to work with them since we already domesticated them.[/QUOTE] genetically engineer a silkworm/spider hybrid. And feed it carbon nanotubes.

When I first read the thread title, I thought "uses" was "uteruses" and was very concerned

So when are we actually gonna find a use for these things? Carbon nanotubes have been the talk of the town for a couple years now but I have yet to hear of a single practical application for them as of yet.

[QUOTE=TestECull;42214876]So when are we actually gonna find a use for these things? Carbon nanotubes have been the talk of the town for a couple years now but I have yet to hear of a single practical application for them as of yet.[/QUOTE] The problem isn't finding a application for it. The problem is manufacturing it for said applications' requirements at a economically viable scale.

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;42214753]Does it work with ordinary silkworms? I imagine it is easier to work with them since we already domesticated them.[/QUOTE] Spider silk is more durable.

[QUOTE=TestECull;42214876]So when are we actually gonna find a use for these things? Carbon nanotubes have been the talk of the town for a couple years now but I have yet to hear of a single practical application for them as of yet.[/QUOTE] once we can find a method to make them longer. that's really the most limiting factor. they're very new, and they need time to become widespread for industrial and commercial use. there are also concerns that it'll act like asbestos and trigger severe respiratory issues if inhaled, so that's around.

And somehow, PETA will find a way to say this is wrong. Seriously, the fiber that is used could be used for a lot of things, so its cool that science can make spider silk into materials for objects with carbon nanotubes.