Markets for Spider Silk
A while back on this board someone said "Why would I want a stronger Climbing rope? If the one I am using now is strong enough not to break that's good enough!"
This led to the inevitable arguments about safety and wear and tear etc. and at the time I did not want to sustain the argument so I kept my mouth shut.
But it is very quiet here this weekend, and I have some time, so here goes.
When people talk about the strength of a rope or a fiber or a fabric they are really talking about the strength per unit weight and volume.
If you have available a fiber twice as strong per weight / volume you do not use it to make your 3/8ths inch diameter climbing rope twice as strong
Instead you use it to make climbing ropes that are as strong as needed and Weigh Half as Much! This means that the recreational climber or the soldier or fireman can carry twice the length of rope with no more effort.
Ropes are used extensively on ships of all types and sizes from sailboats to ocean and river cruise ships and beyond.
Stronger rope means that the same length of rope takes up only half as much deck space, that twice the length of rope can fit on the drum of a winch, that sailors who have to handle BIG ropes can move and lift them much more easily, etc.
Sutures that are twice as strong means that they can be thinner and more quickly absorbed by the body.
And for fabrics the quality difference is Immense!
With twice as strong a fiber you do not make clothing that will last twice as long! You make women's gowns that are twice as sheer, that can have twice as many layers and still be light and supple.
Nylon stockings replaced silk stockings because the nylon was stronger and so could be made thinner and more transparent.
Spider silk stockings will replace "nylons" and within only a few years no woman will be caught dead wearing those rough ugly old things.
Even an old man like myself can really appreciate the smooth soft look and feel of a lovely pair of legs clad in what looks like and feels like Nothing! (because of the extra stretchiness of the silk).
That extra stretch will make girdles and other support garments thinner and smoother and more breathable. "Ace" bandages and other surgical and orthopedic supports will work better. Cycling pants and leotards and women's sports bras will be smoother and more supportive.
When we talk of fiber reinforced composites we are Not just talking about armor. Boat hulls and automotive bodies and other such structural shells are made today of fiberglass and Kevlar.
They are very strong for their weight, but brittle. With spider silk for the reinforcing fiber they will be just as strong, but impact resistant.
Boats will bounce off of rocks that used to shatter them. Car bodies will need fewer repairs and will contribute to the energy absorbing crash survival characteristics of the vehicles.
Even air bag active crash restraints will improve. Lighter weight will mean faster deployment and the smooth stretch of spider silk will cause fewer air bag induced lacerations.
Skis and snow and skate boards will be lighter and springier. ski poles and fishing rods and golf clubs and tent support ribs will be lighter and better.
The list goes on and on. Far more than I could name in ten pages of posting.
But I think that by now I have made my point.
Stronger is not just stronger.
Better living through Transgenics!
Thank you,
Mike L.
AI
