Spider silk is a light and strong material, which is produced in a specialized spinning duct in the spider. These ducts were mimicked by microfluidic channels. By this means, recombinantly produced spider silk was assembled to fibers under well-defined conditions. Based on these results, models for fiber formation could be verified. Furthermore, the assembly of engineered spider silk in a shear-free elongational flow was studied. Finally, the mechanical properties of the fibers formed in this manner could be compared to the properties of natural spider silk.
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Spider silk is a light and strong material, which is produced in a specialized spinning duct in the spider. These ducts were mimicked by microfluidic channels. By this means, recombinantly produced spider silk was assembled to fibers under well-defined conditions. Based on these results, models for fiber formation could be verified. Furthermore, the assembly of engineered spider silk in a shear-free elongational flow was studied. Finally, the mechanical properties of the fibers formed in this ma...
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