The Orb Web is the classic web built by various spider species at night. The weaving of the web is a complex process. The support lines are constructed first, and then the radial lines and finally the spiraling strands are spun from the center of the web outward. Spider silk is a super protein that hardens as it is stretched from the glands of the spider. Webs appear very delicate but in fact the tensile strength of the silk is greater that the same weight of steel. Spider silk has a greater elasticity and can stretch up to 140% of its length without breaking. Because of these amazing qualities, the microstructure of spider silk is being investigated for possible applications in industry, including bullet-proof vests and artificial tendons. |
