Spider Silk Liquid Crystal Proteins Stronger Than Steel
Scientists have discovered that spider silk proteins form liquid crystal structures during spinning, granting them mechanical properties rivaling steel at a fraction of the weight. Researchers now use CRISPR, bacterial expression, and transgenic silkworms to produce recombinant spider silk for aerospace composites, biodegradable medical sutures, and bullet-resistant fabrics. By 2025, facilities are scaling production to 10 metric tons annually, with applications spanning medicine, defense, an...
