Why Mushrooms Might Be the Building Blocks of a More Sustainable Future

February 24, 2023 By Prelo Con

(Image Credit Google)

Image Credit: upworthy Researchers have discovered that mushrooms, specifically the fungus Fomes fomentarius, could potentially replace plastic in a variety of applications, such as headphones, memory foam for shoes, and aircraft exoskeletons. Unlike plastic, which is made from fossil fuels and is difficult to recycle, materials made from mushrooms are biodegradable and can be reused to create more products. The study, which was published in the journal Science Advances, found that F. fomentarius has the ability to yield a wide range of materials with different properties, ranging from soft and spongy to tough and woody. By studying the architecture of the mushroom, researchers hope to use it as a more sustainable building block of our lives. The fungus has three layers with distinct properties that could each be useful in different ways. The tough outer crust could be used to make impact-resistant coatings for windshields, while the soft middle layer could replicate leather. The third inner layer is similar to wood. The research team used advanced imaging techniques and mechanical strength tests to study each layer and assess their potential uses. [caption id="attachment_98098" align="aligncenter" width="368"] Researchers have discovered that mushrooms

Image Credit: nps.gov[/caption] There is already growing interest in mushroom-based building materials, packaging, and textiles. Mohammadi and his team have even created a prototype set of headphones using the thread-like structure, called mycelium, that makes up the fungus. The hope is that mushroom-based products will break down once they are no longer useful, unlike plastic which can linger for decades in the environment. However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed before mushrooms can replace plastic entirely. For example, mass-producing mycelium for market would require additional research and development, and the fungus' genome may need to be tweaked to emphasize certain traits. Moreover, the mycelium cannot be harvested from forests as it could damage the ecosystem. [caption id="attachment_98102" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Researchers have discovered that mushrooms

Image Credit: GETTY[/caption] Nonetheless, using mushrooms in place of plastic could significantly reduce the mountains of waste generated by humans. If products made from fungus become waste, they can become food for new mycelium production, creating a closed-loop manufacturing process, which is the gold standard for making any consumer product at least a little more sustainable.

By Prelo Con

Following my passion by reviewing latest tech. Just love it.

Why Mushrooms Might Be the Building Blocks of a More Sustainable Future

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