In Japan, knit socks from the web
Japanese scientists have found a way by which of the web, you can create a fairly wide range of items - from socks and fishing line to body armor. As reported by Japanese media, objects are created out of spider silk - a material that researchers from the University of Shinshu, located in Nagano, learned how to mass-produce.
To create a thread that is stronger, softer and longer than ordinary silk, scientists have successfully implemented a spider genes into the body of silkworms.
Silkworms used to make tissue more than 5 thousand years. However, the technology in the worm's eggs are injected genes spider spider. Caterpillars that emerge from the eggs weave cocoons, 10% consisting of a protein the spider, which in turn is converted into silk.
It is curious that as a result of the experiment the scientists have received one of the most durable materials available today. For example, spider silk, which scientists have dubbed "bronezhiletnym" five times stronger than the fabric of the same thickness made of metallic threads. In addition, he has an amazing ability to soften the blow, and it exceeds the capacity of Kevlar - a synthetic fiber used for manufacture of bulletproof vests.
Development can be used in various fields up to medicine - thick filaments are ideal for sewing seams. For commercial use of spider silk has undertaken one of the Japanese companies, which by the year 2010 promises to release ultra-thin "web" socks. The same company is going to offer stockings, fishing line, and even tennis rackets from the web.
Click here to see this article in russian: В Японии вяжут носки из паутины