MIT Labs Moves Ahead In Synthesizing Spider Silk

I'm guessing this material is not only stronger than steel but much less dense, making it an idea material for use in aircraft manufacture or a lot of other areas once appropriate fabrication techniques are developed. While the ability of the material to withstand heat or moisture may limit its use, I suspect that metal plating or other coating technologies can extend the potential of this type of material. Should have a lot of potential down the line.

The use of such material in lighter-than-air vehicles (as well as bicycles and such) boggles the imagination.

"The naturally occurring substance—on a weight basis—is stronger than even steel."

That isn't saying much. Aircraft aluminum is stronger than steel, on a weight basis. Carbon composites are even stronger. That is why they are used in aircraft structures. However, they are not "stretchy". What is the advantage of being stretchy?

How many times stronger than steel, on a weight basis, is this new "stretch" material? Is it stronger than the carbon nanotubes previously discussed?

What if carbon nanotubes are used instead of ceramic "clay" platelets as reinforcing material? What if the nanotubes are aligned withh the elastomer instead of being randomly oriented?

Inquiring minds want to know!

The claim "stronger than steel" applies to everything, it seems. But by what I've read, the stuff is stronger in tension than our best carbon fibers so far. If that's the case, and if it's lighter as well (as alleged), then this'd be great stuff for making tough, resilient, lighter-than-air commuters for people who crash even in earth-bound cars.

Of course, racing bicyclists will claim that the ultimate use for any super-high-strength/lightweight material is in bicycles. So tires could be tougher, thinner, lighter, more responsive, for example.

"What is the advantage of being stretchy?"
The mechanical energy storage/absorption of a material is (halfish) the product of the strength and the extension. Referring to the military interest: a strong, low-loss stretchy material would be ideal for catapults, ballistas, etc.: a strong, high loss stretchy material is ideal for armour (bullet-proof clothing, tank protection... But there are plenty of legitimate civilian uses, from surgery to building reinforcements ('ideal' structures might use rigid materials near the core of a structure, and stretchy ones further out). Loss is useful to reduce wind resonances.
Now, about that boat...

Regards

Fyz

I should also have mentioned that stretchy (or low-modulus) materials will generally distribute random loads over a larger volume of material than stiffer ones. So, even when they can only absorb/store the same energy-per-volume as the more rigid materials, they can be more durable against shock etc. This is leads to better measures of impact resistance and related properties. On the other hand, they are often easier to cut and it can be hard to maintain surface finish (as abrasion and shearing resistance depend more on ultimate strength than on total energy absorption/storage).

Fyz

Wow, a real life Spiderman someday. :-) But, seriously, I can see it been use as a lanyard for people working in high rise building. It's light, flexible and strong.

MidniteFighter