Khon Kaen University unveils world's first silk bicycle

Itiporn  Lakarnchua

 

 

KHON KAEN, 29 June 2018 (NNT) – Khon Kaen University has unveiled the world’s first silk bicycle to underline that silk’s uses can extend beyond textiles. 

 

Khon Kaen University created the first ever silk bicycle with a 15,000-20,000 baht budget. The bike is a demonstration that silk can be formed into a strong structure with the integrity of metal and used to replace other materials. This particular application saw silk replacing the carbon fiber used in bicycles, which typically costs up to four times more than silk and would have added 40,000-100,000 baht in cost to the creation. 

 

Silk can withstand five times more pressure than aluminum and has eight times the tensile strength while also being 30 times more shock absorbent. The silk bicycle is lighter than an aluminum unit with the same weight rating and its absorptive properties allows for longer distance riding. 

 

The bike’s creators have registered a patent for their silk and resin based structure for Khon Kaen University, laying groundwork for silk to be developed from a culturally applied material to more modern applications and increasing its economic value. 

 

 

-- nnt 2018-06-30

Now that's some definite innovation.  Congratulations. 

 

It'll be interesting to see how silk works in 3-D printing.

Be nice if somebody who knew anything about bikes could have written the article as carbon fibre frames can be bought for alot less than 40k bht these days. In fact you can get a nice complete road bike with carbon fibre frame for half that money.

2 hours ago, edwinchester said:

Be nice if somebody who knew anything about bikes could have written the article as carbon fibre frames can be bought for alot less than 40k bht these days. In fact you can get a nice complete road bike with carbon fibre frame for half that money.

I just bought one this week for ฿28,800. But, still, that's pretty cool. Maybe it will be cost effective when they ramp up production. Economies of scale, etc.

I think making cost comparisons with carbon fibre is not the point of this article, it is about a completely new use for a product that has only been associated with clothing and parachutes.

Well done to the group that moved outside the boundaries of convention.

PS it should appeal to the vocal greenies as it only takes a few “bugs” and a handful of mulberry leaves to get the basic material, it’s also vegan, great ideas for a marketing campaign