Molecular Dynamics of Synthetic Flagelliform Silk Fiber Assembly

Synthetic spider silk: a modular fiber.

Spiders make their webs and perform a wide range of tasks with up to seven different types of silk fiber. These different fibers allow a comparison of structure with function, because each silk has distinct mechanical properties and is composed of peptide modules that confer those properties. By using genetic engineering to mix the modules in specific proportions, proteins with defined strength...

Identification and dynamics of polyglycine II nanocrystals in Argiope trifasciata flagelliform silk

Spider silks combine a significant number of desirable characteristics in one material, including large tensile strength and strain at breaking, biocompatibility, and the possibility of tailoring their properties. Major ampullate gland silk (MAS) is the most studied silk and their properties are explained by a double lattice of hydrogen bonds and elastomeric protein chains linked to polyalanine...

Reinforcement of Glass Ionomer Cement: Incorporating with Silk Fiber

The aim of this study was to synthesis of glass ionomer-silk fiber composite and to evaluate the effect of adding natural degummed silk fiber on the mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC). For this purpose, natural degummed silk fibers with 1 mm in length and 13-16 µm in diameter were added to the ceramic component of a commercial glass ionomer cement in 1, 3 and 5 wt. %. Compressi...

Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Synthetic Polymers

Molecular nanosprings in spider capture-silk threads.

Spider capture silk is a natural material that outperforms almost any synthetic material in its combination of strength and elasticity. The structure of this remarkable material is still largely unknown, because spider-silk proteins have not been crystallized. Capture silk is the sticky spiral in the webs of orb-weaving spiders. Here we are investigating specifically the capture spiral threads ...