Have you ever entered a seldom-used room, only to be met by an unexpected web clinging to your face? Or perhaps during an early morning walk, you’ve paused to admire the delicate artistry of a web, ...

Why are scientists impressed by the 'superpowers' of this real-life web-slinger? And what high-tech secrets could it help us discover next?

Cobweb or spiderweb natural rain pattern background close-up. Cobweb with drops of rain pattern in blue light. Cobweb net texture with morning rain bokeh. Partial blur view lines spider web necklace© ...

West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue University researchers have applied architectural features from spider webs to create 3D photo detectors for biomedical imaging, according to an Oct. 21 news release.