Today, the concerns about the environment are increasing, but sustainability is not something that can be tackled in isolation. It just may be effective when every industry reduces its impact on the environment globally.
Adopting new materials can be a challenge, but what works in one sector may not be suited to others. However, a study result by a group of German researchers has shown that fungal mycelium could change that.
Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) in Potsdam have used mycelium to transform plant residues into sustainable materials, offering biodegradable options for everything from wallets and packaging to insulation.
The largest part of fungi consists of a network of cell filaments called mycelium, which mainly spreads underground and can reach much bigger sizes.
Mycelium is collected from sources, including edible mushrooms or bracket fungi such as the oyster mushroom or tinder fungus. The team uses a mix of water and organic substrates such as cereal residues, wood chips, hemp, reeds, rape, or other agricultural residues to offer nutrients for the fungus.
During the metabolic process, these are absorbed entirely by a thin network of mycelia. As a result, this process produces a fully organic composite that can be shaped and stabilized through thermal treatment.
After around two to three weeks in the incubator, it produces a substance similar to leather, or a composite that can be processed further.
According to the study, the fungal mycelium can be cultivated with a range of properties. Properties such as durability, stretchability, tear resistance, elasticity, softness, or porosity can be changed and adjusted based on elements, including the type of fungus and agricultural residues, temperature, humidity, and growth duration.
The versatility of the fungus-based materials means they can take on a huge variety of forms and can be used in textile upholstery, packaging, furniture, bags, or insulation boards for interiors. When used as a construction material, the fungus primarily functions as a ‘biological adhesive’ because a wide range of organic particles are connected via the mycelium.
Many positive properties of fungus-based materials, such as heat-insulating, electrically insulating, moisture-regulating, and fire-resistant, can allow an important step toward circular and climate-positive construction in the near future.
Article Source: Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Image Credit: Fraunhofer IAP/ Jadwiga Galties
