Researchers have come up with an incredible breakthrough that even Spider-Man would be jealous of.

They’ve developed a new technology that creates strong, sticky fibers capable of lifting objects and capturing things from a distance. 

So, how does this web-slinging tech work, and what could it mean for our future?

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The science behind the silk

The researchers at Tufts University have created a real-life version of Spider-Man’s web-shooters, and it’s not just some sticky string in a can. This is cutting-edge biomimicry at its finest. The secret sauce lies in a specialized fluid that, when shot from a needle-like device, instantly solidifies into a strong, adhesive fiber. It’s like watching a magician pull an endless string of handkerchiefs from their sleeve, except, this time, it’s all science.

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Artificial webbing. (Tufts University)

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From moth to marvelous

The base of this wonder material is silk fibroin, a protein extracted from moth cocoons. The researchers added a cocktail of ingredients that would make even Peter Parker’s head spin. They incorporated dopamine, the same chemical that gives you that feel-good rush, along with acetone, which is not just for removing nail polish anymore. They also included chitosan, a sugar derived from insect exoskeletons — creepy but cool — and borate ions for that extra stickiness factor.

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Artificial webbing demonstration. (Tufts University)

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Putting the artificial webbing to the test

Now, you might be thinking, “Sure, it looks cool, but what can it actually do?” Prepare to be amazed. In tests, this artificial webbing demonstrated some truly impressive capabilities. It can lift objects over 80 times its own weight and snag items from a distance of about 5 inches. The researchers successfully retrieved a metal scalpel buried in sand and picked up steel bolts and lab tubes floating on water. While it may not be ready for building-swinging just yet, these feats are nothing to scoff at. It’s like watching a baby Spider-Man take his first steps — not quite ready to fight the Green Goblin, but definitely heading in the right direction.

Artificial webbing demonstration. (Tufts University)

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Real-world applications of artificial webbing

While swinging through Manhattan might still be a distant dream, this technology opens up an exciting world of possibilities. Imagine robots using this tech in search and rescue operations to retrieve objects from dangerous or hard-to-reach places. In manufacturing, it could revolutionize how we create and manipulate materials. The potential for medical applications is enormous as well; this technology could play roles in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Additionally, as a biodegradable substance, it might replace harmful plastics in some applications.

Artificial webbing demonstration. (Tufts University)

Accidental genius: The birth of a breakthrough

Like many great scientific discoveries, this one started with a happy accident. Marco Lo Presti, one of the researchers, was simply cleaning his lab equipment when he noticed something strange. He recalled working on a project to create extremely strong adhesives using silk fibroin when he observed a web-like material forming at the bottom of his glass while cleaning it with acetone. Talk about a cleaning day gone right, and this serendipitous moment led to a breakthrough that could revolutionize materials science.

However, let’s give credit where credit is due; our eight-legged friends are still the undisputed champions of silk production. Natural spider silk is about 1,000 times stronger than this artificial version. However, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither was Spider-Man’s web-shooter.

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Artificial webbing demonstration. (Tufts University)

Kurt’s key takeaways

From the pages of comic books to the labs of cutting-edge researchers, the line between fantasy and reality continues to blur. Today, it’s web-shooters; tomorrow, who knows — maybe we’ll be fitting Tony Stark’s arc reactor into our chests or strapping on Wonder Woman’s invisible jet. One thing’s for certain: the future of materials science looks sticky, stringy and pretty spectacular.

If you could use this web-slinging technology for one practical purpose in your life, what would it be and why? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Starting today, Google’s ChromeOS 130 update with Quick Insert, Focus Mode, Welcome Recap, and other features is rolling out. Chromebook Plus models with NPU also get exclusive special features in 130, such as the new recorder app with AI, enhanced mic, camera effects, and Gemini AI tools like “help me read” summaries.

There’s a long list of changes in 130, but here are some highlights. Quick Insert is a way to add emoji, GIFs, or links to recently visited sites and access AI features from a menu. On most devices, that means using the launcher or Google button plus f on your keyboard. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is the first Chromebook to replace the launcher key with a new button that activates Quick Insert with a single press, but more devices launching next year will have it, too.

Focus Mode lets you activate do not disturb and schedule time to reduce distractions while you work, while Welcome Recap is an opt-in feature that summarizes whatever you were doing last so you can reopen apps and tabs to get back to work quickly.

Apple’s journey to making its own wireless chips has been a long one, but the end might be in sight. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo posted on X that Apple’s switch to its own in-house Wi-Fi / Bluetooth chips will start with the iPhone 17 in the second half of next year.

Kuo also agrees with 9to5Mac’s report that the iPhone SE 4, expected in spring of 2025, will be the first device to use Apple’s own homemade 5G modem. He says that the SE will continue using a third-party Wi-Fi chip made by Broadcom, and that the iPhone 17 will be the first device to use both an Apple-made modem and Wi-Fi chip.

The budget-friendly iPhone SE series is due for a serious upgrade, and it looks like Apple intends to add a lot more than just a new custom modem. Rumors suggest it will come with an OLED screen for the first time, Face ID, and will support Apple Intelligence. But those aren’t the only upgrades it might see: a higher price tag could be in the cards, too.