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Synthetic cobwebs are manufactured at SLU

– Well, it’s the coolest project in the world! Anna says and laughs. That it would be possible to make fibers that were better for the environment and could potentially contribute to a better life for all of humanity – I think that’s very interesting.

Hedwig: What is a spider’s thread made of?

It consists of protein. Proteins are common building blocks in the body and perform all kinds of functions. Spider web proteins in particular are very special, unlike any other proteins.

The team does a lot of research on the Swedish species of spider, the bridge spider. Photo: Ari Lostarinen

Anna Rising Offers on the picture. The protein is kind of like a long thread that starts and ends with two balls.

Inside the spider, the thread in the middle of the protein looks like cooked spaghetti. It is a mixture of strings. When the thread comes out of the back of the spider’s body, the threads harden and become more like bundles of uncooked spaghetti.

Hedwig: What are you going to use for the thread?

– If we manage to make a thread that behaves just like a spider’s thread, it will be possible to make strong and light fabrics. You can also use the fibers to strengthen other materials, such as building materials. Anna says there are also ideas about using threads to replace damaged tissue in the human body.

Several miles of thread were spun in the lab. The thread developed by the researchers is more stretchable than spider thread, but it is not yet as strong. Photo: Ari Lostarinen

Spider thread as scientists The product is now so good that they want to start producing more of it. A larger spinning machine was ordered, and with it they hoped to increase production so much that the yarn could be made. Using thread, you can then weave and knit fabrics.

Many companies are interested in the material, and in a few years Anna Rising hopes that it will be possible to buy clothes with cobwebs in stores.

Hedwig and Olivia love to dress up as cobwebs.

– That would be great, says Olivia.

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