Researchers at Tufts University have made a groundbreaking discovery that mimics the incredible web-slinging abilities of Spider-Man. By combining silk and dopamine, they created an astonishingly strong and sticky material that can be shot like the superhero’s wrist-mounted web shooters.
The team, led by biotech researcher Marco Lo Presti, investigated how mussels stick to rocky surfaces using acetone to clean a silk and dopamine substance. During the experiment, they noticed the mixture transforming into a solid format with a web-like structure, similar to Spider-Man’s web shooters.
While this discovery is still in its early stages, the results are impressive. Footage of the team’s experiments shows strands of the material being dripped onto objects from several inches above, forming a strong connection in just seconds.
However, it’s essential to note that this technology is not yet suitable for swinging from skyscrapers. The fibers have an impressive tensile strength, allowing them to catch objects up to 30-35 centimeters away and lift around 15-20 grams.
Scaling up this technology poses significant challenges. Lo Presti explained that no spider can shoot a stream of solution, which turns into a fiber and captures distant objects remotely. The researchers are still exploring the potential applications of this material, including its strength, toughness, and weight-lifting capabilities.
While we may not be swinging from buildings just yet, this discovery brings us one step closer to realizing Spider-Man’s web-slinging abilities.
Source: https://futurism.com/the-byte/scientist-testing-spider-man-web-shooters-accidentally-made