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Contrary to expectation, we demonstrate that spider dragline silk spun experimentally under water displays greater stiffness and higher resilience compared to silk spun "naturally" into air. We suggest that this consequence of extended wet-spinning is due to increased molecular orientation resulting from extension of the mobile phase.

Original publication

DOI

10.1039/b500319a

Type

Journal article

Journal

Chem Commun (Camb)

Publication Date

21/05/2005

Pages

2489 - 2491

Keywords

Air, Animals, Biomechanical Phenomena, Spectrum Analysis, Raman, Spiders, Water