Translating thought to print

Spider webs have long been noted for its graceful structure, as well as its advanced structural properties.  Indeed, spiders webs serve as sophisticated prey-trapping architectures that simultaneously exhibit high strength, elasticity and graceful failure.  However, our understanding of the properties is limited to individual silk fibers. In a paper published in Nature Communications, we created computational models and physical mimics of spider web using 3D printing techniques, which enabled us to acquire new knowledge of mechanical strength of the entire synthetic web. The mix of theory, computation and experiment was key to offer new insight into how spiders optimize their own webs.

We find the existence of an asymptotic prey size that leads to a saturated web strength. By identifying pathways to design de novo material structures with maximum strength, low density and adaptability, we show that the loading type dictates the optimal material distribution. That is, a homogeneous distribution is better for localized loading, while stronger radial threads with weaker spiral threads is better for distributed loading. Our observations reveal that the material distribution within spider webs is dictated by the loading condition, shedding light on their observed architectural variations.

This work could lead to material improvements, new architectural principles, and new design ideas for products. 

Read the MIT News Article: https://newsoffice.mit.edu/2015/3d-printed-webs-0515

MIT Short Course in June 2015: https://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/courses/multiscale_materials_design.html

Original reference: Z. Qin, B.G. Compton, J.A. Lewis, M.J. Buehler, "Structural optimization of 3D-printed synthetic spider webs for high strength," Nature Communications, Vol. 6, article number 7038, 2015.

Link to paper: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150515/ncomms8038/full/ncomms8038.html