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https://theconversation.com/spiderweb-silks-and-architectures-reveal-millions-of-years-of-evolutionary-ingenuity-261928>
"Have you ever walked face-first into a spiderweb while on a hike? Or swept
away cobwebs in your garage?
You may recognize the orb web as the classic Halloween decoration or cobwebs as
close neighbors with your dust bunnies. These are just two among the many types
of spiderweb architectures, each with a unique structure specially attuned to
the spider’s environment and the web’s intended job.
While many spiders use their webs to catch prey, they have also evolved unusual
ways to use their silk, from wrapping their eggs to acting as safety lines that
catch them when they fall.
As a materials scientist who studies spiders and their silks, I am curious
about the relationship between spiderweb architecture and the strength of the
silks spiders use. How do the design of a web and the properties of the silk
used affect a spider’s ability to catch its next meal?"
Share and enjoy,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
