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Inspired by Spider-Man, scientists recreate web-slinging technology

64 points by ohjeez

by N_Lens

1 subcomments

The article fails to explain how the fibers solidify instantly. Reading the actual research paper reveals the critical technical innovation: dopamine accelerates the transition by pulling water away from the silk, and a coaxial needle setup shoots the silk solution surrounded by acetone. The acetone triggers solidification, then evaporates in mid-air. This is the actual breakthrough.

by delichon

1 subcomments

It's a shame that the paper doesn't reference Steve Ditko or Stan Lee or Peter Parker. It's only fair to acknowledge prior art.

by bitwize

6 subcomments

> Spiders don’t actually shoot their silk into the air. They make contact with a surface first, attach a strand, then pull and arrange their webs with careful choreography.
Spiders don't shoot their silk into the air when spinning a web. Some spiders, however, migrate by ballooning: they stand upside down, rear ends (and spinnerets) in the air, and send a thread of silk skyward, where it catches the wind or heat currents and lifts the spider toward parts unknown.

by Barathkanna

1 subcomments

With AI taking jobs and scientists giving us web shooters, I guess we’re all becoming freelancer Spider-Men now.

by metalman

0 subcomment

"scientist" needs some sort of dimunitive expression or grading system, corporate, government......entertainment
ie: grade 2 entertainment scientist

by John-Tony12

0 subcomment

by analog8374

0 subcomment