<p>The strength and resilience of spider silk juxtaposed with the microscopical dimension of a nanotube can lead to electricity and heat conducting devices, says a study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Eden Steven, a physicist at Florida State University's MagLab facility, discovered during his experiments with spider silk -- a strong polymer which is remarkably flexible and completely biodegradable -- and carbon nanotubes that simple methods could result in surprising and environmental friendly outcomes. <br /><br />"If we understand basic science and how nature works, all we need to do is find a way to harness it," Steven said. "If we can find a smart way to harness it, then we can use it to create a new, cleaner technology."<br /><br />The findings of the research are now published online in a journal Nature Communications.<br /><br />Steven is the lead investigator on the paper "Carbon nanotubes on a spider silk scaffold". The experiment may result in practical applications in electrical conductivity, reports Science Daily.<br /><br />Think of a nanotube as a one-atom thick sheet of carbon that has been rolled into an infinitesimally tiny tube. A nanotube's diameter is atleast 10,000 times smaller than a strand of human hair. When things get that microscopically minute, they act very strange, say physicists. <br /><br />Researchers worldwide are intrigued by the properties of carbon nanotubes, including their amazing strength and ability to conduct electricity and heat.<br /><br />"It turns out that this high-grade, remarkable material has many functions," Steven said about the spider silk coated in carbon nanotubes. "It can be used as a humidity sensor, a strain sensor, an actuator (a device that acts as an artificial muscle, for lifting weights and more) and as an electrical wire."</p>
<p>The strength and resilience of spider silk juxtaposed with the microscopical dimension of a nanotube can lead to electricity and heat conducting devices, says a study.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Eden Steven, a physicist at Florida State University's MagLab facility, discovered during his experiments with spider silk -- a strong polymer which is remarkably flexible and completely biodegradable -- and carbon nanotubes that simple methods could result in surprising and environmental friendly outcomes. <br /><br />"If we understand basic science and how nature works, all we need to do is find a way to harness it," Steven said. "If we can find a smart way to harness it, then we can use it to create a new, cleaner technology."<br /><br />The findings of the research are now published online in a journal Nature Communications.<br /><br />Steven is the lead investigator on the paper "Carbon nanotubes on a spider silk scaffold". The experiment may result in practical applications in electrical conductivity, reports Science Daily.<br /><br />Think of a nanotube as a one-atom thick sheet of carbon that has been rolled into an infinitesimally tiny tube. A nanotube's diameter is atleast 10,000 times smaller than a strand of human hair. When things get that microscopically minute, they act very strange, say physicists. <br /><br />Researchers worldwide are intrigued by the properties of carbon nanotubes, including their amazing strength and ability to conduct electricity and heat.<br /><br />"It turns out that this high-grade, remarkable material has many functions," Steven said about the spider silk coated in carbon nanotubes. "It can be used as a humidity sensor, a strain sensor, an actuator (a device that acts as an artificial muscle, for lifting weights and more) and as an electrical wire."</p>