Predicting the mechanical properties of spider silk as a model nanostructured polymer.
Spider silk is attractive because it is strong and tough. Moreover, an enormous range of mechanical properties can be achieved with only small changes in chemical structure. Our research shows that the full range of thermo-mechanical properties of silk fibres can be predicted from mean field theory for polymers in terms of chemical composition and the degree of order in the polymer structure. Thus, we can demonstrate an inherent simplicity at a macromolecular level in the design principles of natural materials. This surprising observation allows in depth comparison of natural with man-made materials.
Porter
D
D
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK. DPORTER@qinetiq.com
Vollrath
F
F
Shao
Z
Z
D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D008956:Models, Chemical; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D047011:Silk / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry*; D013112:Spiders / Q000378:metabolism*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength
D011108:Polymers; D047011:Silk
Nature. 2002 Aug 15;418(6899):741
12181556
J Biotechnol. 2000 Aug;74(2):67-83
11763504
Proc Biol Sci. 2001 Nov 22;268(1483):2339-46
11703874
Nature. 2003 Nov 13;426(6963):141-6
14614496
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2002 Aug 6;99(16):10266-71
12149440
Micron. 2002;33(4):365-84
11814876
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Sep;87(18):7120-4
2402494
Science. 2002 Jan 18;295(5554):472-6
11799236