The conditions for sputtering are strict and an appropriate ionization gas must be used. Depending on what target metal is bombarded the sample can be coated in palladium, platinum, gold or silver.

The researchers coated spider silk with a thin layer of gold to allow it to conduct electricity. This way, when they put the fiber in a magnetic field, it could produce a detectable voltage.

Here are two things you might not expect to see together: spider silk coated in carbon nanotubes. Carbon-coated spider silk wires could lead to 'green' electronics - Los Angeles Times ...