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Supercontraction stress in wet spider dragline

Author

Listed:
  • Fraser I. Bell

    (Heriot-Watt University)

  • Iain J. McEwen

    (Heriot-Watt University)

  • Christopher Viney

    (Heriot-Watt University)

Abstract

Unrestrained spider dragline 'super-contracts' when it is wetted, causing its length to shrink by about half and its diameter to almost double1,2. Here we measure the supercontraction stresses generated upon initial exposure of spider dragline to moisture and find that they are transient, as well as being greater than previously estimated. Our findings cast doubt on suggestions that supercontraction may help to maintain tension in wet webs and could limit the potential load-bearing applications of silk and its analogues.

Suggested Citation

  • Fraser I. Bell & Iain J. McEwen & Christopher Viney, 2002. "Supercontraction stress in wet spider dragline," Nature, Nature, vol. 416(6876), pages 37-37, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:416:y:2002:i:6876:d:10.1038_416037a
    DOI: 10.1038/416037a
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    Cited by:

    1. He, Ji-Huan & Liu, Yong & Xu, Lan & Yu, Jian-Yong & Sun, Gang, 2008. "BioMimic fabrication of electrospun nanofibers with high-throughput," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 37(3), pages 643-651.
    2. He, Ji-Huan & Wan, Yu-Qin & Xu, Lan, 2007. "Nano-effects, quantum-like properties in electrospun nanofibers," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 33(1), pages 26-37.

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