Do Spiders Make Silk For Clothes?
WouterSpider silk, aka gossamer, is a natural fiber made from the glands of spiders. It is light, strong and pliable. Known as the “Holy Grail” of the fiber industry, it has long held human interest.
In the 19th century, French Jesuit missionary Father Paul Camboue was successful in making fabrics from spider silk. The last garment produced from spider silk was for the Paris Exposition Universelle in the late 1800s.
However, mass production of spider silk isn’t possible. Hundreds of spiders would need to be caught in order to produce one square yard of cloth. And the process is difficult.
For years, scientists have tried to replicate spider silk in the laboratory. But the process is still not perfect. Several companies are currently working to develop the technology.
One company, Bolt Threads, is making synthetic spider silk in the Bay Area. They have been making progress toward commercializing the material. As a result, the US military has been following their progress.
Another company, Spiber, is based in central Japan and is brewing spider silk protein from microbes. They plan to enter the medical and apparel markets next year.
The US army is assisting in the development of synthetic spider silk. Currently, the military relies on nylon for strength. Nylon melts when heated. A protein-based fiber, on the other hand, is strong and doesn’t melt.
Scientists have also expressed spider silk protein in goat milk. These experiments are moderately successful. Eventually, they hope to make it a sustainable solution for the textile industry.
