The speed of sound in silk: linking material performance to biological function.

ABSTRACT: Sonic properties of spider silks are measured independent of the web using laser vibrometry and ballistic impact providing insights into Nature's design of functionalized high-performance materials. Through comparison to cocoon silk and other industrial fibers, we find that major ampullate silk has the largest wavespeed range of any known material.

SUBMITTER: Mortimer B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4140601 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature