A real world Spiderman (minus the genetic modifications)

French man Alain Robert on his third attempt climbing Petronas towers. His previous two attempts both failed when he was arrested at the 60th floor.

This time he makes it all the way to the top and stands in the clouds - victorious!!

March 2011: Alain Robert scales the world's tallest building in Dubai - 2,717 feet in 6 hours

Spiderman Tech - How could Spiderman climb walls?

Have you wondered how Spiderman can climb walls?

Let's look at how spiders can climb walls.  Spiders have claws on all of their 8 legs, which enable them to grasp onto the walls or other surfaces.  But Spiderman seems to have tiny hairs that help him climb to the top of a tall building.  These hairs create electrostatic forces (Van der Waals forces)

Van Der Waals forces, causes the hairs on the spider's feet to interact with surface on the molecular level. These hairs are very similar to spikes on the boots that ice climbers use to climb glaciers.  Except that the hairs on the spider's feet interact with the actual atoms on the wall's surface which help to generate forces that hold them onto the wall.  

For a more in depth explanation of Van Der Waals forces, check out the Khan Academy.

Start the video below at 6:40   

Scientists are also working on molecular type of Velcro which could allow humans to walk on walls like spiders do.  With enough tiny hairs in a piece of fabric, this material could be used to help astronauts move around in space or move large pieces of equipment.  

0:00 through 1:10 in the following video

Spiderman Tech - What is 'Spider-sense"?

Spider-sense - what does this look like? Would the world around you go in slow motion or is it like a radar that would permit additional reaction time to sense motion around you? How would it help Spiderman detect danger on the horizon? Do real spiders actually have a 'spider-sense"?

This could be explained through a spider's ability to sense vibrations and changes in air pressure. Spiders can feel things approaching be sensing changes in the environment. Maybe Spiderman can sense these changes through the use of trichobothria (a really fine hair that can perceive air currents and vibrations).

Play video at 4:35 - 6:30

Spiderman Tech - Could a human spin a web like a spider?

One of Spiderman's greatest tools are is web shooters.  How did these develop in the comic books and are they scientifically possible?  Find out how his abilities could be similar to Silly String!   (Start video at 3:30 to end) 

1. How strong and elastic is drag line silk?  
2. Spiders can lift great weights, which could be explained by their unique body structure.  How could Spiderman's super strength be explained through science?   Let's consider endorphins (pain-killing molecules that help humans perform incredible acts of strength under stress).  When you have an endorphin rush, you don't feel much pain.  (Start at 5:30) 

Also, check out a previous Science of Superheroes blog post on Spider Silk - Representing on a human scale

Can genetic engineering explain Peter Parker's / Spiderman's origins?

Spiderman has spider strength, spider strength and web shooting... and the ability to defy gravity!  How does Spiderman's powers hold up to scientific fact?  Which ones can be scientifically backed up, and which ones are pure science fiction?

Peter Parker gained his abilities after getting bit by a radioactive spider.  How much of this origin story could really happen?  Start the first video below at 3:40 to find out.

1. If an irradiated spider bites a person, will it transfer its radiation to the human?  
2. How might it be explained by genetic engineering?  

 

1. Transferring traits from one organism to another at the stage of inception is one things but...  is it possible to genetically modify a nearly grown man like Peter Parker?  The answer might be found in retroviruses (such as HIV) 
2. How could the genetic information passed along also help Peter Parker climb walls, shoot webs, and have the proportional strength of a spider?   (Beginning of video through 3:30)

Meet Magneto: Man of Magnetism

Magneto possesses the power to control all forms of magnetism. He can shape and manipulate magnetic fields that exist naturally or artificially. It is unclear, however, whether he must draw magnetic force from outside himself (if so, then he can do so over vast distances), or whether he can also generate magnetic force from within himself. Nor is it clear whether Magneto's power is psionic or purely physiological in nature. Magneto's power is, for all practical purposes, limitless. Moreover, he can use his magnetic powers in more than one way simultaneously. He can completely assemble a complicated machine within seconds through his powers. He can erect magnetic force fields with a high degree of impenetrability around himself for protection.

Although Magneto’s primary power is control over magnetism, he can also project or manipulate any form of energy that is part of the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, radio waves, ultraviolet light, gamma rays, and x-rays. However, Magneto almost always uses only magnetism, since it’s more difficult for him to manipulate other forms of energy. Magneto has also exhibited powers of astral projection and telepathy, and has claimed to be able to control the minds of others, though his abilities along these lines appear to be minimal.

Magneto’s ability to wield his superhuman powers effectively is dependent upon his physical condition. When severely injured, his body is unable to withstand the strain of manipulating great amounts of magnetic forces.

More on Marvel.com: http://marvel.com/universe/Magneto_(Max_Eisenhardt)#ixzz1jM5cF9Um

Magneto moves the Golden Gate Bridge

Gone and Forgotten

Gone & Forgotten is a blog dedicated to the bottom of the comic book barrel; the Secret Wars IIs, the Kitty Pryde and Wolverines, the Green Teams and John Targitts and the one time Krypto swore like a drunken sailor on shore leave.

This blog has been around in some form or the other since 1997 or so...

http://gone-and-forgotten.blogspot.com/