The use of spider silk as a biomaterial
B. Mortimer1; C. Holland2 1 University of Oxford, Oxford, UK2 The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Abstract
In order to fully exploit spider silk as a biomaterial, we must first understand it. While it is possible to taxonomically categorize the mechanical properties and diversity of silks so that a specific material can be matched to an application, true bioinspiration stems from comprehending the source of variability in spider silks. This chapter focuses on the sources of this material variability from an evolutionary and ecological perspective and how this can be probed using state-of-the-art mechanical testing techniques. We conclude that only through a systems approach to silk will we be able ...
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