Future Advancements
Because silk has many unique properties compared to other natural and synthetic fibres, scientists are constantly testing it in many different fields.
One of the world's leading scientists in silkworm development is a french scientist named Dr.Gerard Chavancy (Gleason, 2007). Some of his experiments include...
One of the world's leading scientists in silkworm development is a french scientist named Dr.Gerard Chavancy (Gleason, 2007). Some of his experiments include...
- Breeding silkworms that will not be affected by temperature changes and will not be susceptible to diseases (Gleason, 2007).
- Developing new silkworm species that will eat more than mulberry leaves (Gleason, 2007).
- Producing silkworms that naturally produce coloured silk, meaning dyes will no longer be used (Gleason, 2007).
Naturally Coloured Silk
Many consumers will not purchase silk products because of the dyes used to create vibrant colours. Beginning in 2009, scientists in a laboratory in Singapore have been working to find a way to naturally colour silk; and they have found a solution (Lancashire, 2011)! Scientists have discovered that by changing the silkworm's diet in the last four days of the larva stage, the colour of silk will also be altered(Lancashire, 2011). By mixing mulberry powder with a special coloured substance, the silkworm produces vibrant silk cocoons, ready to be reeled into yarn and sewn into clothing (Lancashire, 2011). Figure 5, displays the colourful silk cocoons produced naturally from silkworms.