Biomimetic spinning of spider silk

Dellar, P. and Allwright, D.J. (2003) Biomimetic spinning of spider silk. European Study Group with Industry > 46th ESGI [Bristol 31/3/2003 - 4/4/2003].

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EPrint Type:	Study Group Report
Study Group:	European Study Group with Industry > 46th ESGI [Bristol 31/3/2003 - 4/4/2003]
Company Name:	Spinox
Industrial Sector:	Materials
Additional Contributors:	Boxer, T. and Cummings, L. and Dewynne, J.N. and Grief, A. and Hogan, J. and Howison, S.D. and Huang, H. and Lee, M. and Lionheart, B. and Ockendon, H. and Ockendon, J.R. and Please, C.P. and Richardson, G. and Wilks, G. and Williams, J.
ID Code:	27
Deposited By:	Gordon White
Deposited On:	10 June 2004

Problem Statement

Kevlar fibres are made from liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). Since their creation there has been extensive research effort in the use of LCPs as structural and barrier materials. Spider silk is formed from a lyotropic LCP which undergoes structural transitions during spinning, resulting in a highly orientated structure. It is this structure that is thought to be essential for the exceptional tensile strength of spider silk. Biomimetic spinning of spider silk protein dope has yet to achieve the strength characteristics found in nature. Spinox have designed and built a biomimetic rig into which protein dope is fed and from which spun bre is drawn. They want to model the spinning process in the spider and compare it with the biomimetic rig.

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