Coming soon: Spider-Man body armor?

Arguably, the Holy Grail for Spidey body armor would be cracking the bark spider, reputedly 10 times stronger than Kevlar, and then applying these new silkworm factories.

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Bark spider silk is the strongest on earth, 100 percent tougher than all other documented silk.

Discovered last year in Madagascar, the bark spider not only makes the largest orb web at up to 25 meters, it has the strongest dragline silk in the world and the elasticity to absorb three times more energy than Kevlar before breaking.

From parachutes, airbags and sportswear to biodegradable fishing ropes, lines and nets, the range of potential civilian applications is diverse.

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