Research Keyword: biomineralization

Fungal Biorefinery: Mushrooming Opportunities

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Scientists are discovering how fungi can be grown to create useful materials as alternatives to plastics and other petroleum-based products. By cultivating fungal filaments on agricultural waste, researchers can produce foam-like materials for packaging, strong fibers for textiles, and special carbon materials for energy storage. These fungi-based materials are biodegradable, help recycle waste, and require less energy to produce than traditional synthetic materials.

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Upcycling end-of-life mattresses into sustainable insulation materials through development of mycelium based biocomposites

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Scientists developed an innovative way to recycle old mattresses by growing fungus on shredded mattress waste, creating a new insulation material. The resulting biocomposite is extremely heat-resistant, remaining stable even at temperatures above 990°C, and has insulation properties comparable to commercial products. This approach converts waste mattresses into valuable building materials while promoting environmental sustainability through circular economy principles.

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Enhanced MICP for Soil Improvement and Heavy Metal Remediation: Insights from Landfill Leachate-Derived Ureolytic Bacterial Consortium

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Researchers used naturally-occurring bacteria from landfill waste liquid to create a sustainable method for cleaning contaminated soil and removing heavy metals like cadmium and nickel. The bacteria produce calcium carbonate (a mineral similar to limestone) which strengthens soil and traps pollutants. This biological approach is cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and more effective than traditional chemical cleaning methods, making it promising for treating contaminated sites worldwide.

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Nanoscale Characterization of Fungal-Induced CaCO3 Precipitation: Implications for Self-Healing Concrete

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Researchers studied how fungi can help repair concrete cracks by producing calcium carbonate (similar to limestone) using advanced microscopy techniques. They found that three types of fungi all produced stable calcite crystals, which is good for making durable self-healing concrete. The study shows exactly how fungi work at the tiny nanoscale level to create these minerals, providing important information for developing better crack-healing concrete that could reduce environmental impact.

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Cadmium and Lead Tolerance of Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Contaminated Mining Soils

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Researchers isolated six types of fungi from mining-contaminated soil in Mexico that can survive in extremely toxic environments with high levels of lead and cadmium. These fungi have developed special strategies to handle these dangerous metals, with one species, Paecilomyces lilacinus, showing exceptional ability to tolerate both metals simultaneously. These findings suggest these fungi could be used to clean up contaminated soils in mining regions, offering hope for environmental remediation efforts.

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Designers join scientists to make living architecture a reality

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Scientists and architects are collaborating to create buildings that incorporate living organisms like yeast, fungi, and bacteria to make healthier, more sustainable homes. These living building materials can purify indoor air, self-heal cracks, and even glow to warn of environmental hazards. By combining engineering expertise with artistic design, researchers are developing structures that breathe, adapt, and improve our living spaces while reducing environmental impact.

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Heavy Metal Remediation by Dry Mycelium Membranes: Approaches to Sustainable Lead Remediation in Water

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This research shows that dried mushroom root networks (mycelium) can effectively remove toxic lead from contaminated water, making it a natural and sustainable alternative to expensive chemical treatments. When enhanced with phosphate treatment, mycelium can remove over 95% of lead even at high concentrations. The mycelium membranes work well in continuous water filtration systems while being biodegradable and environmentally friendly, offering promising solutions for households and communities dealing with lead-contaminated drinking water.

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