Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc (KBLB)

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6 Ways Nature Is Inspiring Human Engineering

Article at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ptc/2014/08/07/6-ways-nature-is-inspiring-human-engineering/

Excerpt about KBLB:

1. Bulletproof vests made of spider silk. When we look at a delicate spider web we might not instantly think of strength and durability, but in fact, spider silk is one of the toughest natural fibers known to man, stronger by weight than steel, yet highly flexible. Its potential is endless, with possible applications in the medical industry, apparel, and even defense.

Michigan based Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is studying how to turn spider silk into bulletproof vests for soldiers. Spider webs elongate and flex when bugs fly into them in much the same as a bulletproof vest absorbs the energy of a bullet.

But because spider silk is difficult to harvest for mass production, Kraig Biocraft is genetically engineering silk worms to produce the silk. The lab is starting small with durable spider-silk clothing like gloves and underwear, but hopes a bulletproof vest will be possible down the line.