Researchers surpass silkworm silk by taking a holistic approach

Dr. Ben Allardyce and Ph.D. candidate Mr. Martin Zaki from Deakin's Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM) have delivered a world first in next-generation materials research. Silkworm silk is a protein-based fiber with mechanical properties rivaling petroleum-derived synthetic fibers, yet spun using a fraction of the energy. Despite decades of research, aspects of natural silkworm spinning remain a mystery.