scholarly journals Relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties in spider silk fibers: identification of two regimes in the microstructural changes

Soft Matter ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (22) ◽  
pp. 6015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo R. Plaza ◽  
José Pérez-Rigueiro ◽  
Christian Riekel ◽  
G. Belén Perea ◽  
Fernando Agulló-Rueda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Microstructural Changes ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties

scholarly journals Spinning conditions affect structure and properties of Nephila spider silk

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Young ◽  
Chris Holland ◽  
Zhengzhong Shao ◽  
Fritz Vollrath
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Polymer Fibers ◽  
Uniform Strain ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Uniform Stress ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Microstructure And Mechanical Properties ◽  
Stress Models

Abstract Raman spectroscopy is used to elucidate the effect of spinning conditions upon the structure and mechanical properties of silk spun by Nephila spiders from the major ampullate gland. Silk fibers produced under natural spinning conditions with spinning rates between 2 and 20 mm s−1 differed in microstructure and mechanical properties from fibers produced either more slowly or more rapidly. The data support the “uniform strain” hypothesis that the reinforcing units in spider silk fibers are subjected to the same strain as the fiber, to optimize the toughness. In contrast, in the case of synthetic high-performance polymer fibers, the both units and the fiber experience uniform stress, which maximizes stiffness. The comparison of Nephila major and minor ampullate silks opens an intriguing window into dragline silk evolution and the first evidence of significant differences between the two silks providing possibilities for further testing of hypotheses concerning the uniform strain versus uniform stress models. Impact statement It is well established that the microstructure and mechanical properties of engineering materials are controlled by the conditions employed to both synthesize and process them. Herein, we demonstrate that the situation is similar for a natural material, namely spider silk. We show that for a spider that normally produces silk at a reeling speed of between 2 and 20 mm s−1, silk produced at speeds outside this natural processing window has a different microstructure that leads to inferior tensile properties. Moreover, we also show that the silk has a generic microstructure that is optimized to respond mechanically to deformation such that the crystals in the fibers are deformed under conditions of uniform strain. This is different from high-performance synthetic polymer fibers where the microstructure is optimized such that crystals within the fibers are subjected to uniform stress. Graphic abstract

scholarly journals Mechanical properties and application analysis of spider silk bionic material

e-Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 443-457
Author(s):  
Yunqing Gu ◽  
Lingzhi Yu ◽  
Jiegang Mou ◽  
Denghao Wu ◽  
Peijian Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Biomimetic Materials ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Spider Web ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Fiber Materials

AbstractSpider silk is a kind of natural biomaterial with superior performance. Its mechanical properties and biocompatibility are incomparable with those of other natural and artificial materials. This article first summarizes the structure and the characteristics of natural spider silk. It shows the great research value of spider silk and spider silk bionic materials. Then, the development status of spider silk bionic materials is reviewed from the perspectives of material mechanical properties and application. The part of the material characteristics mainly describes the biocomposites based on spider silk proteins and spider silk fibers, nanomaterials and man-made fiber materials based on spider silk and spider-web structures. The principles and characteristics of new materials and their potential applications in the future are described. In addition, from the perspective of practical applications, the latest application of spider silk biomimetic materials in the fields of medicine, textiles, and sensors is reviewed, and the inspiration, feasibility, and performance of finished products are briefly introduced and analyzed. Finally, the research directions and future development trends of spider silk biomimetic materials are prospected.

scholarly journals Basic Principles in the Design of Spider Silk Fibers

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1794
Author(s):  
José Pérez-Rigueiro ◽  
Manuel Elices ◽  
Gustavo R. Plaza ◽  
Gustavo V. Guinea
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Tensile Behavior ◽  
Original Design ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Selection Of

The prominence of spider silk as a hallmark in biomimetics relies not only on its unrivalled mechanical properties, but also on how these properties are the result of a set of original design principles. In this sense, the study of spider silk summarizes most of the main topics relevant to the field and, consequently, offers a nice example on how these topics could be considered in other biomimetic systems. This review is intended to present a selection of some of the essential design principles that underlie the singular microstructure of major ampullate gland silk, as well as to show how the interplay between them leads to the outstanding tensile behavior of spider silk. Following this rationale, the mechanical behavior of the material is analyzed in detail and connected with its main microstructural features, specifically with those derived from the semicrystalline organization of the fibers. Establishing the relationship between mechanical properties and microstructure in spider silk not only offers a vivid image of the paths explored by nature in the search for high performance materials, but is also a valuable guide for the development of new artificial fibers inspired in their natural counterparts.

scholarly journals Hydrothermal Effect on Mechanical Properties of Nephila pilipes Spidroin

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsuan-Chen Wu ◽  
Aditi Pandey ◽  
Liang-Yu Chang ◽  
Chieh-Yun Hsu ◽  
Thomas Chung-Kuang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Random Coil ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Physical Strength ◽  
Β Sheet ◽  
Post Treatment Process

The superlative mechanical properties of spider silk and its conspicuous variations have instigated significant interest over the past few years. However, current attempts to synthetically spin spider silk fibers often yield an inferior physical performance, owing to the improper molecular interactions of silk proteins. Considering this, herein, a post-treatment process to reorganize molecular structures and improve the physical strength of spider silk is reported. The major ampullate dragline silk from Nephila pilipes with a high β-sheet content and an adequate tensile strength was utilized as the study material, while that from Cyrtophora moluccensis was regarded as a reference. Our results indicated that the hydrothermal post-treatment (50–70 °C) of natural spider silk could effectively induce the alternation of secondary structures (random coil to β-sheet) and increase the overall tensile strength of the silk. Such advantageous post-treatment strategy when applied to regenerated spider silk also leads to an increment in the strength by ~2.5–3.0 folds, recapitulating ~90% of the strength of native spider silk. Overall, this study provides a facile and effective post-spinning means for enhancing the molecular structures and mechanical properties of as-spun silk threads, both natural and regenerated.

scholarly journals Effects of different post-spin stretching conditions on the mechanical properties of synthetic spider silk fibers

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Albertson ◽  
Florence Teulé ◽  
Warner Weber ◽  
Jeffery L. Yarger ◽  
Randolph V. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Silk Fibers

scholarly journals Silkworms transformed with chimeric silkworm/spider silk genes spin composite silk fibers with improved mechanical properties

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 923-928 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Teule ◽  
Y.-G. Miao ◽  
B.-H. Sohn ◽  
Y.-S. Kim ◽  
J. J. Hull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Silk Fibers

Anisotropic nanomechanical properties of Nephila clavipes dragline silk

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2035-2044 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Ebenstein ◽  
Kathryn J. Wahl
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Dynamic Stiffness ◽  
Longitudinal Section ◽  
Mechanical Anisotropy ◽  
Nephila Clavipes ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Reduced Modulus ◽  
Anisotropic Mechanical Properties

Spider silk is a material with unique mechanical properties under tension. In this study, we explore the anisotropic mechanical properties of spider silk using instrumented indentation. Both quasistatic indentation and dynamic stiffness imaging techniques were used to measure the mechanical properties in transverse and longitudinal sections of silk fibers. Quasistatic indentation yielded moduli of 10 ± 2 GPa in transverse sections and moduli of 6.4 ± 0.5 GPa in longitudinal sections, demonstrating mechanical anisotropy in the fiber. This result was supported by dynamic stiffness imaging, which also showed the average reduced modulus measured in the transverse section to be slightly higher than that of the longitudinal section. Stiffness imaging further revealed an oriented microstructure in the fiber, showing microfibrils aligned with the drawing axis of the fiber. No spatial distribution of modulus across the silk sections was observed by either quasistatic or stiffness imaging mechanics.

scholarly journals Strain softening and stiffening responses of spider silk fibers probed using a Micro-Extension Rheometer

Soft Matter ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 487-493
Author(s):  
Sushil Dubey ◽  
Chinmay Hemant Joshi ◽  
Sukh Veer ◽  
Divya Uma ◽  
Hema Somanathan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Strain Softening ◽  
High Tensile Strength ◽  
Silk Fibers

Spider silk possesses unique mechanical properties like large extensibility, high tensile strength, super-contractility, etc.

Mechanical Properties of Spider Silk for Use As a Biomaterial: Molecular Dynamics Investigations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul Rawal ◽  
Kristen L. Rhinehardt ◽  
Ram V. Mohan
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Complete Separation ◽  
Silk Protein ◽  
Silk Proteins ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Spider Silk Protein ◽  
Β Chain ◽  
Smd Simulations

Abstract Even though silkworm are the most dominant type of silk fibers used for commercial applications, spider silk has a definitive role in biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties as biomaterials. In recent years, recombinant production of the silk proteins at a larger scale has found new interest. Spider silk composites with a combination of a variety of other biomaterials have also been used to improve properties such as bio-compatibility, mechanical strength and controlled degradation. [1] A major constituent of spider silk fibers, are spidroin proteins. These are made up of repetitive segments flanked by conserved non-repetitive domains. The fiber proteins consist of a light chain and a heavy chain that are connected via a single disulfide bond. [2] Present paper employed steered molecular dynamics (SMD) as the principal method of investigating the mechanical properties of these nanoscale spider silk protein 3LR2, with a residual count of 134 amino acids. [3]. SMD simulations were performed by pulling on β-chain of the protein in the x-direction, while holding the other fixed. The focus of this paper is to investigate the mechanical properties of the nanoscale spider silk proteins with lengths of about 4.5nm in a folded state, leading to understanding of their feasibility in bio-printing of a composite spider silk biomaterial with a blend of various other biomaterials such as collagen. An in-depth insight into the fraying and tensile deformation and structural properties of the spider silk proteins are of innovative significance for a multitude of biomedical engineering applications. A calculated Gibbs free energy value of 18.59 kCal/mol via umbrella sampling corresponds with a complete separation of a single chain from a spider silk protein in case of fraying. Force needed for complete separation of the chain from the spider silk protein is analyzed, and discussed in this paper. It is found that the protein molecule undergoes a tensile stretch at strain rates of ≅ 11.65. An elastic modulus of 20.136 GPa, calculated via simple SMD simulations by subjecting the silk β-chain to a tensile stretch is also presented.

scholarly journals Mechanical and structural properties of major ampullate silk from spiders fed carbon nanomaterials

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0241829
Author(s):  
Sean P. Kelly ◽  
Kun-Ping Huang ◽  
Chen-Pan Liao ◽  
Riza Ariyani Nur Khasanah ◽  
Forest Shih-Sen Chien ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Raman Spectroscopy ◽  
Spider Silk ◽  
Carbon Nanomaterials ◽  
Natural Fibers ◽  
Silk Fibers ◽  
Tensile Tester ◽  
Solid Foundation ◽  
Strong Consensus ◽  
Published Research

The dragline silk of spiders is of particular interest to science due to its unique properties that make it an exceptional biomaterial that has both high tensile strength and elasticity. To improve these natural fibers, researchers have begun to try infusing metals and carbon nanomaterials to improve mechanical properties of spider silk. The objective of this study was to incorporate carbon nanomaterials into the silk of an orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes, by feeding them solutions containing graphene and carbon nanotubes. Spiders were collected from the field and in the lab were fed solutions by pipette containing either graphene sheets or nanotubes. Major ampullate silk was collected and a tensile tester was used to determine mechanical properties for pre- and post-treatment samples. Raman spectroscopy was then used to test for the presence of nanomaterials in silk samples. There was no apparent incorporation of carbon nanomaterials in the silk fibers that could be detected with Raman spectroscopy and there were no significant improvements in mechanical properties. This study represents an example for the importance of attempting to replicate previously published research. Researchers should be encouraged to continue to do these types of investigations in order to build a strong consensus and solid foundation for how to go forward with these new methods for creating novel biomaterials.

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