Scientists Recreate Web-Slinging Technology From Spider-Man

Researchers at Tufts University have developed cutting-edge technology reminiscent of Spider-Man's web-slinging abilities, as detailed in a study published in Advanced Functional Materials. The innovation enables a fluid material to be expelled from a needle, almost instantly solidifying into a fiber strong enough to lift objects—a fundamental element of Spider-Man lore. The technology diverges from natural spider silk, unique for its ability to shoot webs and adhere to items from a distance, rather than merely spinning them. This is prepared by SSP.

The technology's foundation lies in silk fibroin, a protein sourced from moth cocoons. This substance, traditionally adhesive in nature, underwent a significant transformation after a fortunate incident noticed by Marco Lo Presti, a Tufts researcher. During his experiment with silk-based adhesives, he discovered that acetone and dopamine, a common neurotransmitter, could accelerate fibroin solidification from hours to near-instantaneously.

Together, acetone and dopamine aid the fast hardening of silk by swiftly removing water from its structure, with acetone evaporating quickly. Further improvements included adding chitosan—a sugar biopolymer from insect exoskeletons—and borate ions to increase strength and stickiness, enabling fibers to bear weights over 80 times their own. Video demonstrations show the device picking up various objects, illustrating its practicality.

Although these synthetic fibers remain 1,000 times weaker than a spider's silk, they do promise substantial uses inspired by comics, nature, and science fiction. As Lo Presti explains, this remarkable work bridges imagination and scientific reality, forwarding both creative ideas and practical applications beyond what nature achieves.