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Silkworms..... fed with graphene produce strong fibres that conduct electricity
dailymail.co.uk ^ | ryan o'hare

Posted on 10/11/2016 10:56:17 AM PDT by BenLurkin

By feeding silkworms carbon nanotubes and graphene, researchers enabled the insects to spin ‘super silk’ – far tougher, more durable and conductive than normal threads – opening up new possibilities for fabrics, medical implants and more.

...

According to Scientific American, the reinforced silk is far stronger and able to withstand 50 per cent more stress before the strands break.

What’s more, they found that after heating the fibres to high temperatures, the threads were able to conduct electric currents far better and had a more ordered crystal structure.

The amount of carbon nanomaterials fed to the insects is tiny, just 0.2 per cent by weight of their food and avoids the need to dissolve the carbon components in toxic solvents, as would be needed to treat normal silk.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Weird Stuff
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1 posted on 10/11/2016 10:56:17 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

This is cool.

Now if these silkworms knew about evolution, they would have been looking for graphene to eat way before now.

/s over.

This really IS cool.


2 posted on 10/11/2016 11:06:54 AM PDT by Scrambler Bob
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To: BenLurkin

Sssshhhhh. Don’t let PETA know about this. They might fight to get it stopped because it is “cruel” to make the silkworm larvae ingest something other than all-natural, organic food!/s


3 posted on 10/11/2016 11:10:11 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: left that other site

I think, as long as they are fed “free range” carbon nanotubes, it’ll be OK w/PETA. They are an understanding gaggle, err, bunch.


4 posted on 10/11/2016 11:12:52 AM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (I had a cool idea for a new tagline and I forgot it!)
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To: BenLurkin

What happens if you feed lightning bugs uranium?


5 posted on 10/11/2016 11:17:52 AM PDT by IronJack
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To: Attention Surplus Disorder

Save the Silkworm!






An Expose of the Cruel and inhumane conditions producing "Silk", a luxury item that profits from the exploitation of the highly intelligent and sensitive "Silkworm". Even the nomenclature of this noble creature is demeaning!/s

6 posted on 10/11/2016 11:17:55 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: left that other site

Next step - Creating Sammy the Silkworm, and a Silkworms Have Feelings Too campaign.


7 posted on 10/11/2016 11:21:31 AM PDT by freedomlover
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To: BenLurkin

So if I get my gal a pair of silk/carbon nanomaterial panties will it turn her on?


8 posted on 10/11/2016 11:22:38 AM PDT by dblshot (I am John Galt.)
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To: IronJack
What happens if you feed lightning bugs uranium?

Thanks for the laugh!
9 posted on 10/11/2016 11:28:41 AM PDT by rockvillem
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To: BenLurkin

L8r


10 posted on 10/11/2016 11:29:38 AM PDT by AFreeBird (BEST. ELECTION. EVER!)
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To: BenLurkin

Chimeras. Maybe Gore was right about one thing in his life...there is a manbearpig.


11 posted on 10/11/2016 11:31:35 AM PDT by WKUHilltopper
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To: freedomlover

And, of course, the “Don’t Wear Silk” Campaign.

And a nifty theme song too!


12 posted on 10/11/2016 11:41:40 AM PDT by left that other site (You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
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To: BenLurkin

I remember something about goats that were genetically modified to produce a superior silk from their milk.


13 posted on 10/11/2016 11:47:22 AM PDT by Lurkina.n.Learnin (Hillary Clinton AKA The Potemkin Princess of the Potomac)
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To: BenLurkin

Silk-worm man
Silk-worm man
Does whatever
a silk-worm can
Can he swing
From a web?
No he can’t.
He’s a worm.
Look out.
He is
a silk-work man.


14 posted on 10/11/2016 11:50:36 AM PDT by wille777
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To: BenLurkin
Ole Genghis Khan would have been doubly secretive about silk had he known this.
15 posted on 10/11/2016 12:37:52 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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