Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. announced this afternoon that scientists have discovered a way to increase the strength of spider silk three-fold by adding small amounts of metal. Even though the spider-made fiber is already tougher and lighter than steel, this new technique could make it useful for manufacturing super-tough textiles and high-tech medical materials.
The discovery was made by researcher Seung-Mo Lee of the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics in Halle, Germany. Lee and his colleagues used a process called atomic layer deposition, which not only coated spider dragline silks with metal but also caused some metal ions to penetrate the fibers and react with their protein structure.
According to the press release, the discovery was based on the observation that some insects have traces of metals in their toughest body parts. For example, the jaws of leaf-cutter ants and locusts contain high levels of zinc, making them particularly stiff and hard.
“This new discovery is absolutely incredible,” commented CEO Kim Thompson. “Spider silk is already known as one of the strongest fibers found in nature and is recognized for its unparalleled capacity to absorb and dissipate energy in a very controlled manner. Being five times stronger than steel of the same diameter in its natural form, this enhancement reminds us again of the extraordinary potential spider silk has. Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is committed to continuing to develop sustainable spider silk for commercial use worldwide.”
Kraig Biocraft Labs Takes Another Giant Step Forward With Ground Breaking Technology April 10, 2008 8:40 AM Click For 2008 KBLB PR
LANSING, MI, April 10 /CNW/ - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCBB: KBLB) announced today that a provisional patent application describing a platform for antigen presentation and antibody test kits has been filed listing Dr. Malcolm Fraser of Notre Dame, a member of Kraig's Scientific Advisory Board, as the named inventor.
"The invention describes engineered polymers which incorporate diagnostic antigens," explained Dr. Malcolm Fraser. "The genetically fused polymers can potentially be fashioned into a number of different diagnostic test platforms including serum (blood), salivary, and urine based diagnostics," Fraser continued. "The result would be a diagnostic tool which could simultaneously screen for several diseases or for other important parameters."
This is the second patent application of 2008 which was made pursuant to Kraig's sponsored research program at the University of Notre Dame and which is subject to Kraig's intellectual property agreement with the University.
That agreement provides for exclusive licensing rights for Kraig sponsored research.
"This ground breaking technology advances Kraig into the growing field of human and animal diagnostics," said company CEO Kim Thompson. "The tremendous potential of genetically fused polymers for diagnostics can not be ignored," continued Thompson. "Our announcement is a big step toward fulfilling the promise of genetically engineered fibers for diagnostics and human health."
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