/channels/taxonomy/term/29923/all en /channels/channels/news/velvet-worm-slime-could-inspire-sustainable-synthetic-materials-study-finds-352377 <p>In the tropical, temperate forests it calls home, the velvet worm uses a projectile “slime” to capture its prey. When it’s ejected from the worm, the slime transforms into a gel before solidifying into stiff fibers upon exposure to air. This forms an inescapable trap for struggling prey. "The fact that the slime transitions from a liquid to a solid in mid-air is extremely unusual," said Professor Matthew Harrington, co-director of the ƽ���岻�� Institute for Advanced Materials. “It appears that the forces it experiences when ejected initiate the transition.”</p> Tue, 31 Oct 2023 14:56:54 +0000 webfull 194364 at /channels