supercontraction

English

Etymology

From super- +‎ contraction.

Pronunciation

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Noun

supercontraction (plural supercontractions)

1. The contraction (by up to 50%) of spider dragline silk in high humidity
   • 2015 December 22, “In Vitro Evaluation of Spider Silk Meshes as a Potential Biomaterial for Bladder Reconstruction”, in PLOS ONE‎^[1], →DOI:

     The demonstration that in an in vivo fascia replacement model supercontraction can be overcome by suturing the silk mesh into a defect before releasing it from the frame, encourages the in vivo use of spider silk without the presence of a supporting scaffold.

2. The contraction of textile fibres when treated with heat etc.