Detecting spiders can cause 'electric shock'

The researchers said that the amount of charge on the spider's silk could cause paralysis.

>>>Video: Introducing ultralight fabric from artificial spider silk

After much research on the great features of spider silk like making armor, strings . Recently, researchers at Oxford University announced the study of new features of spider silk.

Accordingly, this fragile silk layer is 3 times more flexible and tough than Kevlar, 5 times stronger than steel and can make electricity prey to "shock".

To reach this conclusion, the researchers investigated the silk of the Uloborus plumipes, mainly distributed in the tropics, introduced to the Mediterranean around 1900, about 4 - in size. 6mm.

Experts found that the spider silk of this species carries a small charge. Compared to us, this charge is negligible but for some prey, this charge can cause them to be numb and lie in one place.

Image of spider silk under a microscope

Going deeper, the team found that, at the abdomen end of the Uloborus plumipes contained "weaving machines" , silk was spilled out of small holes of the loom.

The composition of spider silk is a protein, like silk, when just flushed out is a kind of sticky and electrostatic "glue" . When exposed to air, it immediately becomes hard and becomes silk. This makes it easy for spiders to catch prey at relative and extreme distances.

The researchers hope this finding will help them in the study of nanofibre production. Researcher Fritz Vollrath said: "This discovery gives us new insights into the study of nanofibers. If we can master this mechanism, it will open. new direction is very flexible and effective in polymer processing technology ".