Technology:
Spiber,
a venture company originating from Keio University, established a technology to
synthesize gossamer artificially to produce fibers, and it will start mass
production in alliance with Kojima Industries that is a Toyota’s associated
company. The two companies plan to establish a system to produce 100 kg artificial
gossamer per month within 2013. Gossamer is regarded as the next-generation
material because it is rather strong and excellent in expansion and contraction.
It has rather bright future as a material for auto parts and medical parts. The
annual production capacity is scheduled to expand from 1.2 tons to 10 tons
toward 2015.
Spiber’s
artificial gossamer is made of special protein that comes from microorganism. It
has the same substances and characteristics as gossamer. However, the
researchers reviewed the molecular arrangement to facilitate the combination
with other materials. In addition, they increased the cultural efficiency of
the microorganism by gene manipulation. Based on these innovations, they
established a mass production technology of this gossamer. Spiber’s product is stronger
than steel and has higher degree of expansion and contraction than nylon. Reducing
the production cost by the mass production technology will open up the road to
a wide range of applications including auto parts and artificial vessels.
Artificial gossamer developed by a venture
company originating from Keio University
A dress made of the artificial gossamer
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