German researchers have developed ultra thin wires from cobwebs. These wires, based on latest technology, could spark revolution in miniature electronics. Spider silk is remarkably strong and can stretch a lot before it snaps. The researchers managed to reduce the silk from it's usual diameter of 3 and 5 micrometres down to 100 nanometres without weakening it. By using laser beams in opposite direction they evenly reduced the diameter of the silk. The researchers are now planning to make conducting nanowires upto a metre long by electroplating the thread with metal ( New Scientist , May 5, 2001, Vol 170, No 2289).
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