Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc (KBLB)

[Eskaminagaga]

I recently got the opportunity to stop by the Spiber Inc. QMONOS display at TEPIA in Aoyama, Japan and here are some pictures: http://imgur.com/a/qqmpi#0

I am still in Japan, so i will not be able to reply in any timely manner, but I thought you guys would be interested in what I learned from the presenter there:

- They are using DNA from the Darwin's Bark Spider among others.

- They would not state exactly what bacteria(s) they are using.

- The fibers are ~7 times stronger than Kevlar, though they did not differentiate the difference between strength and toughness nor did they give numbers. I could not ask very easily due to my Japanese not being all that great.

- They are still in the process of improving the fibers' properties

- They did not let me touch it, though they did state that the feel of the fibers is very coarse, similar to hemp fibers. It would not make very comfortable clothing despite a dress being made from it.

- The production of the protein powder and fibers is still very expensive, though they are working on reducing the cost. They would not give a ballpark figure.

- They just completed their second prototype factory as of last week that will be able to produce up to 20 metric tons annually at full capacity. They will be making samples of the fibers available in 2017 for the first commercial applications and hope to be fully commercial by 2025.