Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas and Ireland’s Trinity College have reported that they have spun carbon nanotube composite fibres that are tougher then any other man-made or natural polymer fibre.

The tough composite fibres were produced using a new continuous spinning process.

The authors of the paper that describes the material and process claim that their fibres have a toughness 17 times that of Kevlar and 4 times that for spiders silk. Compared to steel fibres, they are twice as stiff and strong, while being 20 times tougher.

Potential applications of the composite fibres include:

· Energy storing electronic textiles, which can be used to power electronic devices

· Bullet-proof vests

· Synthetic muscles

· Distributed fibre sensors