Researchers Develop Spider-Man-Inspired Web-Shooting Technology

A new silk-based material can be shot from a device, solidifying mid-air to lift objects over 80 times its weight.

The technology uses silk fibroin, derived from moth cocoons, combined with dopamine and other additives to create sticky, strong fibers.
The accidental discovery was made by researchers at Tufts University when cleaning glassware with acetone, which led to the rapid solidification of silk fibroin.
The fibers are enhanced with chitosan and borate buffer, increasing tensile strength by up to 200 times and adhesiveness by 18-fold.
The device can shoot fibers capable of lifting various objects, such as steel bolts and wooden blocks, from a distance of about 12 centimeters.
Although not as strong as natural spider silk, the innovation opens possibilities for applications in biomaterials, adhesives, and more.