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Published online 24 March 2003 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news030317-14
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Spiders spring a trap
Web silk is a trampoline of soggy molecular helixes.
The capture silk spun by spiders contains soggy molecular springs to absorb the impact of an insect flying into their webs. The finding might help materials scientists to improve the synthetic fibres used in strong, lightweight, stretchy fabrics or protective coatings.
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