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Article
Viscoelastic Solids Explain Spider Web Stickiness
Nature Communications
  • Todd Blackledge, The University of Akron
  • Ali Dhinojwala, The University of Akron
  • Vasav Sahni
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2010
Disciplines
Abstract

Modern orb-weaving spiders have evolved well-designed adhesives to capture preys. This adhesive is laid on a pair of axial silk fibres as micron-sized glue droplets that are composed of an aqueous coat of salts surrounding nodules made of glycoproteins. In this study, we measure the adhesive forces required to separate a small microscopic probe after bringing it in contact with a single glue droplet. These forces are highly rate-dependent and are two orders of magnitude higher than the capillary forces. The glycoproteins in the glue droplets behave as a viscoelastic solid and the elasticity is critical in enhancing adhesion caused by specific adhesive ligands. These results have important implications in mimicking bioadhesives.

Citation Information
Todd Blackledge, Ali Dhinojwala and Vasav Sahni. "Viscoelastic Solids Explain Spider Web Stickiness" Nature Communications Vol. 1 Iss. 19 (2010)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/todd_blackledge/29/