Why Spider Silk is Stronger Than Steel 

😂😂 love the random spiderman at 9:35 but also love the in depth detail as I've always wondered what exactly it meant "spider silk is stronger than steel"

9:36 The casual Spiderman completely caught me off guard 😅 Nice video!

I love the Spider-Man walkthrough absolutely brilliant

9:32 Spider-Man just casually walking around the lab.

One of my favourite RS videos to date. Material science crossed with biology? Kinda wish I went into spider silk research

Spider man walking through the background at 9:34 was a nice touch

Spiders are such beautiful and magnificent creatures. I wish more people could appreciate them and all their wonder.

in a rural area, i saw a stick that was hanging from a thread, it wasnt there the day before and it just looked weird, like one of those suckers that are on the roof in half life, i grabbed the stick and threw it away and after that i looked up to see what it was connected to, turns out it was a counter weight for a web that was between 2 trees, without it, the web started moving due to the wind and was ultimately destroyed, dunno what happened to the spider and i kinda felt bad for destroying something so ingenious

Ancient Greek myth about spiders: There was once a woman named Arachnid who was incredibly talented at weaving and looming. Her talent was so great that people compared it to that of Athena, goddess of knowledge and arts. But Arachnid was too proud of herself, claiming her work was better than Athena's. This angered the goddess, who transformed herself into an old lady and went to Arachnid to see if she'd back down from that statement. When Arachnid did not back down, Athena turned her into a spider. But Athena did not take away Arachnid's talent, and so this is why spiders are so good at weaving beautiful complex webs.

Spiderman just casually walking in the background of the lab shot is fucking amazing 😂

I wonder what guitar strings from spider silk would sound like. I suspect finger oils are far more destructive to it though, so wouldn't expect them to last nearly as long.

Another amazing episode. All of your videos that I’ve seen so far have been amazingly interesting and well done; and, I just want to say thank you for putting out the effort to create all the super interesting and enlightening content! 👍

What I find fascinating about many spiders is that they can create a very beautiful and perfect looking web while being nearly blind or completely blind.

Makes me wonder how Peter Parker was able to concoct his complex chemical compounded spider fluid.

My university actually had some spider silk producing goats! A few years ago, they brought them on campus and I was able to see them. It was really fun.

There is one more properties of Spider silk You "forget" to mention - it changes it's mechanical porperties very much when heated and also it burns (no fire resistance)

I learned alot from this. I had no idea there was multiple types of spider silk for different parts of their web. Another great video

The fact that it is made from a liquid makes me hope we can print or even 3d print with it. I have no idea how well it would adhere to the other layers in a 3d print, but even just making 2d patters of the material to reinforce other thin materials would be awesome.

That was the best segue into the ad promotion I've ever seen. Completely flawless and non-jarring. The video itself was also amazing! Thank you

It never ceases to amaze me, the unique ability of humans to pick the best traits from nature, and construct them from scratch.

I remember watching a video where Myth Busters Adam Savage did a test with some kids and proved the concept. They did two test with gallons of water dripping into buckets held up by either a cord of steel and a cord of spider silk. They used enough spider silk (over 300 strains I don’t recall) but they were both the same amount of mass/weight. Both did the test and the silk held more water before it snapped then the steel cord.

I work in the analytical department at Lubrizol and we just had an interview candidate come in and present their research on the material properties of spider silk. A lot of what they said was in this video. I dont remember where they were studying/ when they put out their research, but hearing that ppl are close to being able to mass produce it has me so hopeful for the future when we can finally get rid of plastics fibers because they are so insanely difficult to break down even from a chemical perspective. Genuinely never more excited for science after watching this video.

Im currently learning about cell free protein synthesis which is a relatively new technique and this would be the perfect application for it! Since the synthesis happens outside of a host cell there’s not limitation to the size of the protein.

Policeman to thief "i am wearing Bulletproof vest". Thief: "I am wearing Spider silk Vest". Policeman: "Understandable, have a nice day".

9:35 I love how there just walks a spiderman in the background.

9:34 ah yes spiderman

A delightful documentary. Thank you for sharing!

If we could know the chemical concoction that goes on in the spiders glands to make the silk, we’d be able to make our own silk material

Very good content - thanks! But there's more to it than the protein chemistry. The golden orb thread has layers of proteins that mechanically slip past each other in a controlled manner to relieve strain. That would be a real challenge to reproduce even if the proteins were made. We remain in awe at the incredible properties of the real thread.

9:33 Spiderman: who goes home 😂😂

Didn’t we have an entire Wild Kratts episode on why it’s not ok to force spiders to make clothes?

back in high school i did a presentation in AP science about scientists trying to use goats to mass produce spider silk. they basically genetically modified a couple goats because their milk had capabilities of reproducing spider silk like material.

9:34 we just gonna ignore spiderman in the background?

9:33 did anyone else notice spider-man just casually strolling by in the background?

The first hiker up in the morning while backpacking is called a silk blazer, because of all the spider webs to walk through

Thanks for being part of the movement that makes RU-vid great and spreads wishdom and knowledge around the world, so that everybody can learn, you will inspire kids to follow in your footsteps and become scientists in the field. Thanks for being a role model like that.

9:35 spiderman in the background

I remember when we began trying to develop spider silk from goats' milk. It was incredibly promising at the time.

When I first heard about the goats a few years ago, I imagined them to be extruding spider web from their udders 😂

A gem of a channel. Thank you for this content.

9:35 random Spider Man

So glad RU-vid recommended me this channel. Love this video already subscribed and now binge watching your other videos. The video “ the secrets language of trees” is amazing.

I remember this one guy in the 90s spent a whole lot of time making an body armor out of silk webbing. It took him years to gather up the material, but he made a suit that had crazy durability.

Media brainwashed me into being scared from spiders, I'm re learning to love them.

Awesome job. Great Narrator!! One of my top 5 most fascinating things is spider silk. Thank you for the in depth research. I gotta get that spidersilk vest and those adidas 😂. Fly as hell

Love how you enlighten us through intricate method used by researchers in developing silk protein ...and also prevented me from going into deep reading!

Me after destroying a spider web : *Stronk*

This is a long overdue video - a fascinating subject indeed

9:33 OSCORP security is pretty lame

This was fascinating! I adore spiders and this was so interesting to see.

Growing up navajo were told that when you find a empty web but perfectly spun and weaved, you should rub the entire web in your hands and ask that your work be as good as this spiders web.

That was an awesome video, your great!

this video is so well-made. the visuals were awesome. so awesome that in the beginning I was getting the heebie-jeebies with the spider clips but then grew to appreciate more. seeing what good/greatness humanity can do with things like this responsibly is one of the pinnacles of science

this video is great !! alot of professional work is put in these videos and the quality is great, keep up the good work you got this !!

Very nice segue. Thanks for the video.

9:34 xD that spiderman in the background, too good

There's a specific fungus on Fraser Island, Australia that I think would be useful for producing spider silk. I think the same fungus, along with CRISPR could also be used to grow super efficient solar cells :)

I've seen a guy on RU-vid make spider silk from bacteria, I have a feeling spider silk clothing will be far more prevalent soon. If one guy can do it, some corporation out there is attempting to mass produce.

Humans: * creates nylons * Nature to spiders: look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power

Spiders: look what they need to mimic a fraction of our power!

Hey, just wanna say. I love your videos and that I learn a lot from them. I’m 30, I went to school for graphic design and you’ve “spun” these videos in a manner where I understand and can follow comfortably. Keep up the amazing work!

I am always curious when I see spiderwebs. They are an amazing hunting tool. I like having one or two on my balcony. When I go out for a smoke or coffee outside I always want to see a spider mid construction or when a bug flies into it. My favorite type of predator.

Your voice is so calming an captivating 😍

Really great content!

6:59 Objection: There is something (pardon my translation, heard that in a german lecture on material science and can't find the source material) "Second paradox of material science" or something like that, which states that first, materials in string-like shape are stronger (in the sense, that they can withstand higher forces per area before failure) compared to beams and also: the smaller the area, the higher of strength (force per area) for the exact same material. If I remember correctly, it has something to do with errors in the material, where in objects with great area (and therefore, great forces for the same applied tension) errors in the material tend to grow faster. But please: correct me if my explanation is wrong or if you can add in more details Edit: Source: A. A. Griffith From the german wiki article: "A material in fiber form has a much greater strength in the fiber direction than the same material in another form. The thinner the fiber, the greater its strength. The reason for this lies in an increasing rectification of the molecular chains with decreasing available area. In addition, weakest link theory ("Each chain is only as strong as its weakest link.") are distributed over very large distances in the material, so that the fibers are largely free of defects that can cause a break. Since material can then be saved with the same strength, a material with a high specific strength (ratio of strength and weight) is created. In addition, a defect in the material does not lead to the failure of the entire component, but for the time being only to the breakage of a single fiber in the composite (no crack propagation)."

This has to be the most exciting concept you've covered yet for my money... The intersection of biotech, materials science and mass manufacturing for such a variety of potential applications which could also help replace organic/fossil fuel based plastics or fibres is a pretty cool perfect storm of scienceing... 😎👌😍🕸️🕷️

tension is the pulling apart forces and compression is the pushing together forces, concrete has high compressive strength butneeds metal supports throughout to give it tensile strength

As much as I dislike spiders in my home, this definitely makes me appreciate just how intricate their bodies are. I had no idea there were so many different types of silk for so many different tasks. Imagine having the knowledge to build a masterful web imbedded in you from millions of years of trial and error made by your ancestors. I apologize if this was confusing to read I'm not the best typer

I love how much detail these videos have, good job!!

9:33 Spider-Man

Fascinating. Thanks.

I’m surprised that all the attempts to make spider silk have involved genetic engineering, rather than a mechanical system. In other words, couldn’t we create a mechanical spider abdomen that mirrors the natural chemical process to “manufacture” spider silk? 🤔

There was a big storm passing by here in Belgium Yesterday. Outside my bedroom window was a spider living in the top corner. I checked in on it now and then, the poor thing was struggling to hold on to it's web. Later when i checked again, the spider was gone, but the web is intact. Unbelievable how strong it is.

It's amazing how scientists used so many variations to reach at an answer and are still continuing to improve. It's beautiful.

I am studying now bio-inspired materials, this channel is the best thing that I have ever seen to connect material science with biology

How would you harvest spider silk? Ive seen videos about harvesting silk worm silk. What would the setup be? How would you feed them? How would you keep them contained, especially the babies?

Your videos never fail to fascinate me, i love this channel so much 😍 thank you for adding value to the life of most of your viewers!!

Really love the details. And the presentation is awesome. Expecting more exciting scientific content. My regards, To the team, for putting such extrinsic effort.

we need this

I'm glad at least no scientist thought of making giant spiders 😰

amazing video. its pretty much a "reverse clickbait" as not only you explained the process of spider silk but how we are working to recreate it, and the pace we are at right now. the curiosity plug in was also pretty relevant too, being similar topic

Absolutely fascinating science. Very well done mini-documentary. You literally answered every question that entered into my mind while watching this amazing video. Bravo!!!

Finally I know what to do when I get a time machine: go step on the protospider.

Spiderman casually walking in the background past the two scientists was the little gem inside this video lol

I watch and read a lot about spiders and this video is quite high on quantity and quality of information provided. Genuinely impressed. ...And super extra bonus points (as well as a like) for not using creepy violin music (or the like) every time a spider is on screen. 👍

This is one of those videos where you get wowed in every few minutes of watching. Thanks a lot real science for making such amazing video. And the narrator was phenomenal with her voice!

Great video! Just a comment, I believe that the dragline silk its not a composite, the amorphous and cristaline regions ara common in polymers. And since proteins are actually polymers, spider silk its a super strong biopolymer, and I think that's kinda crazy.

great info, thanks

Why is Spider-Man in the background at 9:00

9:23 amazing!! spiderman whhhhoahhh!!!

love ur stuff

I want to see a plane made out of mostly webs, besides the frame. Or a drag car.

Wow! What a fantastic channel this is. Thank you for all you do

Now I can finally ask: what do plants, goats, silkworms, and bacteria have in common? They've produced immitation spider silk. :)

What's the sound track playing at the start in the background of the speaking audio of the video called?

There you go. Learning from nature rather then using others to test things too painful or lethal for our species. Good job on this one

I love the content you are putting out keep the great work up!!

9:34 background Thought we wouldn't notice, but we did :D

You know, I read about EVERYTHING in this video like 20 years ago… and all they’ve produced since then was that one shawl, that we don’t seem to be doing any testing with. it’s just sitting there. Yeah, I’m not holding my breath on spider silk armor being available at the local sporting goods store anytime soon ….

Thank you very much for interesting story about spiders.