A new "super wood" nanofiber biomaterial is stronger than spider silk

2018-05-11T14:56:00-04:00

Spider silk has long held the title of strongest natural biomaterial, so scientists have been trying to harness it, mimic it and even improve on the recipe for years. Now, researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new biomaterial out of wood nanofibers that steals the strength record.

A new material called "super wood" is eight times stiffer than silk, which has been considered one of the strongest bio-based materials. KTH researchers found a new technique to "densify" wood where fibers assemble to make the cell walls stiff and strong, a process called cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs).

This wood nanomaterial is found to be as strong as steel, surpassing metals, alloys, ceramics and E-glass fibers. Researchers assert the technique could be used to produce strong and lightweight materials for constructing cars, planes, bikes, and furniture—as well as helping to assemble other nanofibers like carbon tubes.

Silk vortex by Akiko Ikeuchi

2011-05-16T13:04:40-04:00

For over two decades japanese artist Akiko Ikeuchi has been creating room-sized vortices of silk, tying hundreds of small knots in coloured thread to form elaborate gallery installations. Beginning with intricate plans resembling architectural diagrams, ikeuchi first lays a foundation structure using cotton thread. Next, a second layer using fine silk thread is slowly knotted into a mesh, a process that spans nearly a month for an installation such as the one depicted.

Stunning!

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A new "super wood" nanofiber biomaterial is stronger than spider silk

Silk vortex by Akiko Ikeuchi