Spiders and silkworms are masters of materials science, but scientists are finally catching up. Silks are among the toughest materials known, stronger and less brittle, pound for pound, than steel.

The control of interfaces in engineered nanostructured materials has met limited success compared with that which has evolved in natural materials, where hierarchical structures with distinct ...

• AHSS steels have both high strength and good formability. • A mixture of microstructures gives AHSS their properties. • Designers should aim for structural efficiency, thin plates, and strong joints ...