francene--blog. Year 2013
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April 2nd

4/2/2013

 
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www.fancydressball.co.uk
For years, scientists have been looking for alternatives to synthetic fibers like nylon and lycra, or spandex, which are made from oil—a non-renewable resource.

Found deep undersea, Hagfish may have shown the way.

Hagfish slime has the potential to provide a natural and renewable alternative. The jawless, spineless hagfish is a primitive creature that lives at the bottom of the ocean and dates back as far as 500 million years - but it exudes a very special slime, which could provide the clothing of the future.

Dinosaurs became extinct about 60 million years ago, but a hagfish fossil—complete with evidence of slime-producing glands—has been found dating back 330 million years.


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oceanlink.info

A hagfish has about 100 of these glands that run along the side of its body from which they exude a milky, white substance, comprised of mucus and thread. When this substance mixes with seawater, it expands, creating huge amounts of clear slime, composed of very thin—but super-strong and stretchy—fibers. When stretched and dried, they become silky.

Because the slimy 1ft long fish don't respond well to captivity, scientists are trying to work out a way to produce the slime fibers artificially in the lab. Before, they've tried to replicate spider silk, but the large proteins in the fiber make it difficult. Hagfish slime has similar properties to spider silk and the proteins are smaller.




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mediaquay.com
Researchers at the University of Guelph in Canada are trying to make threads using genetically engineered bacteria, bypassing the hagfish entirely. If they succeed in perfecting their thread, scientists hope to work closely with the textile industry to bring some products to market. Scientists believe the new product could be turned into tights or breathable athletic wear, or even bullet-proof vests. What would stop them from making a onesi or a superman suit.

While this concept might be offputting, stay focused. I remember about 15 years ago when I saw the first sweatshirt made with a miraculous fluffy texture. It turned out to be made from recycled plastic bottles.


Jacqui Malpass link
4/1/2013 09:06:55 pm

I am intrigued to know what manufacturers are currently using - like cotton and flax which is natural and re-newalble

Francene Stanley link
4/2/2013 07:25:52 pm

All of the above. I guess they need more resources.

Charlotte Henley Babb link
4/1/2013 09:26:37 pm

Seems like there should be something that could produce usable threads from garbage, unrecyclable plastics--like 20-liter bottles--and various other trash. I wonder if hagfish slime could get rid of the whirlpools of toxic plastic in the oceans? Or maybe we just need to get over arachnophobia and use spider silk?

Francene Stanley link
4/2/2013 07:27:13 pm

I think our resources are running out. Too many people.

Jocelyn Kelly link
4/1/2013 10:50:26 pm

Oh, this was fascinating to read! I sometimes write science fiction stories so my mind is now brewing with ideas. There is so much potential for a material like this. Thanks for posting this!

Francene Stanley link
4/2/2013 07:28:52 pm

Good for you to grab the information and allow your imagination to flow.

Sue link
4/1/2013 11:17:55 pm

Interesting, slimy too! But to think clothes could be made from fish slime. Wow. It truly is an amazing world we live in. Good article.

Francene Stanley link
4/2/2013 07:30:13 pm

The slime effect disappears when the substance is dried. Otherwise, nobody would consider wearing it. haha.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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