+ - Binding Metal to Biomaterial
Submitted
by
Peter Mork
Peter Mork writes "According to the Washington Post, Seung-Mo Lee, a graduate student at the Max Planck Institute, has found a way to infuse spider silk with metals, such as titanium, aluminum and zinc. The result is three to ten times stronger than normal spider silk (which is already, pound for pound, stronger than steel).
The process involves breaking some of the hydrogen bonds in the amino acid chain. The reactive metals then form covalent bonds with the broken ends creating a denser, stronger compound.
Ironically, Lee thought he was demonstrating that soft materials would be destroyed by the process when he made the discovery. No mention is made regarding the feasibility of strengthening bone with adamantium."
The process involves breaking some of the hydrogen bonds in the amino acid chain. The reactive metals then form covalent bonds with the broken ends creating a denser, stronger compound.
Ironically, Lee thought he was demonstrating that soft materials would be destroyed by the process when he made the discovery. No mention is made regarding the feasibility of strengthening bone with adamantium."
