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samboct -> RE: Super-spider silk + metal (4/27/2009 12:48:24 PM)
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Actually, the problem is the lack of market for the stuff. Disclaimer- I bought stock in Nexia Biotech (the company which incorporated the spider silk protein gene) a bunch of years ago- knowing it would be a long shot. The CEO - I think his name was Turner, was an academic from the get go. While there was a certain amount of interest by the Navy in the stuff (better crash barriers-) I think they eventually decided that there was no real need for the stuff.
DuPont for many years worked at trying to spin spider silk from proteins in an organic solvent- they probably have over 100 patents on the subject. Never went anywere. Turns out that the expression of the protein into a fiber isn't easy- stuff wants to just turn into a ball. The approach that Nexia used apparently worked well enough to make enough of the stuff to sample, but I don't think they ever got much more than interest.
Was a neat idea. Would probably make a great net for people jumping out of buildings. Spider silk has a nice "give" to it- and it really elongates before it breaks, thus giving you lots of warning. Other than that though- what are you going to use the stuff for?
Sam
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