The French will begin to build airliners from an artificial web
The spider web is known for its extraordinary durability. The tensile strength of woven arthropod filaments can reach 1,3 gigapascals.
Since it is difficult to create giant spider farms, science went a different way, isolating the genes responsible for producing the web by deciphering the DNA of the spiders themselves. The isolated genes were placed in the DNA of bacteria, and scientists “forced” microorganisms to produce proteins from which the filaments are formed, which are not inferior to natural ones in strength and extensibility.
Due to its outstanding properties, the web from the laboratory has found application in medicine and cosmetics. For example, surgical threads are made from it. Shoe makers have figured out how to make ultra-light running shoes with an artificial web. But now this unique product can be used in aviation technology.
It became known about the plans of French aircraft manufacturers to begin experiments with an artificial web next year, on the basis of which biopolymers for modern aircraft will be created. Due to the flexibility and strength of its threads, aircraft manufacturers intend to use the web in order to strengthen the structure of the hull and wings, at the same time reducing the weight of the aircraft and fuel consumption.
Since it is difficult to create giant spider farms, science went a different way, isolating the genes responsible for producing the web by deciphering the DNA of the spiders themselves. The isolated genes were placed in the DNA of bacteria, and scientists “forced” microorganisms to produce proteins from which the filaments are formed, which are not inferior to natural ones in strength and extensibility.
Due to its outstanding properties, the web from the laboratory has found application in medicine and cosmetics. For example, surgical threads are made from it. Shoe makers have figured out how to make ultra-light running shoes with an artificial web. But now this unique product can be used in aviation technology.
It became known about the plans of French aircraft manufacturers to begin experiments with an artificial web next year, on the basis of which biopolymers for modern aircraft will be created. Due to the flexibility and strength of its threads, aircraft manufacturers intend to use the web in order to strengthen the structure of the hull and wings, at the same time reducing the weight of the aircraft and fuel consumption.
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