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Influence of Humidity on the Acoustic Properties of Mushroom Mycelium Films Used as Sensitive Layers for Acoustic Humidity Sensors

Summary

This research explored using mushroom-based films as humidity sensors. Scientists found that films made from mushroom mycelium (the root-like structure of fungi) can detect changes in humidity by changing their physical properties in a reliable and reversible way. This could lead to new types of eco-friendly humidity sensors. Impacts on everyday life: • Could enable development of more sustainable and biodegradable humidity sensors • May lead to improved humidity monitoring in homes and buildings • Demonstrates new practical applications for mushroom-based materials • Could reduce reliance on synthetic materials in sensor manufacturing • Potential for cost-effective humidity sensing solutions

Background

Humidity sensors are essential devices used in various applications including museums, cars, smart homes, and industrial plants. While many types of humidity sensors exist based on different physical principles, acoustic humidity sensors using specific films as sensitive layers represent an important category. Mushroom mycelium films have shown potential for sensing applications but remain poorly studied for humidity sensing.

Objective

To study the influence of humidity on the density, shear elastic module, viscosity, and thickness of mycelium films from two mushroom species (Pleurotus eryngii and Ganoderma lucidum) and evaluate their potential use as sensitive layers in acoustic humidity sensors.

Results

Both mycelium films showed measurable changes in physical properties with humidity variation. For G. lucidum films, relative changes in thickness, shear elastic modulus, viscosity coefficient, and mass were 9.8%, 38%, 21.6% and 15.7% respectively. P. eryngii films showed changes of 3.6%, 19%, 37.5%, and 9% for the same parameters. The films’ properties fully recovered after removal from water vapor exposure.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that mushroom mycelium films, particularly from G. lucidum and P. eryngii, exhibit reversible changes in their physical properties in response to humidity changes, making them suitable candidates for use as sensitive layers in acoustic humidity sensors.
  • Published in:Sensors (Basel),
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/s20092711
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