Research Keyword: engineered living materials

Anisotropic Growth of Filamentous Fungi in Wood Hydrogel Composites Increases Mechanical Properties

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Researchers developed new composite materials by growing fungi on specially treated wood. The fungi naturally grow along the wood’s fiber direction, creating stronger, more organized structures than they would in regular gelatin. By adjusting the wood type and nutrient levels, scientists could precisely control the mechanical strength of these eco-friendly materials, which could eventually be used in building products and packaging.

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Harmonizing Nature, Education, Engineering and Creativity: An Interdisciplinary Educational Exploration of Engineered Living Materials, Artistry and Sustainability Using Collaborative Mycelium Brick Construction

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This study shows how middle-school students can learn science, engineering, and art together by growing and building with mycelium, a fungal material that can replace plastic and other harmful materials. Students designed shapes, created molds, cultivated living mycelium bricks under sterile conditions, and assembled them into an artistic structure. The hands-on experience helped students develop practical skills like precise measuring and 3D thinking while learning about sustainability and nature’s cycles.

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Designers join scientists to make living architecture a reality

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Scientists and designers are working together to create buildings made with living organisms like yeast and fungi that can clean the air, detect hazards, and even repair themselves. These living walls work similar to plants, requiring water and nutrients while providing benefits like removing harmful chemicals and improving air quality. This approach combines nature with architecture to create healthier, more sustainable homes and buildings for the future.

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Living Textures and Mycelium Skin Co-Creation: Designing Colour, Pattern, and Performance for Bio-Aesthetic Expression in Mycelium-Bound Composites

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Researchers discovered that mushroom mycelium can naturally change color and texture in response to different environmental conditions, making it possible to design beautiful, sustainable building materials without chemical treatments. By controlling moisture and oxygen exposure during growth, scientists can create specific patterns and colors ranging from white to brown on mycelium composite surfaces. This breakthrough suggests that fungal-based materials could become more visually appealing and widely accepted for use in architecture and construction, supporting both environmental sustainability and public acceptance of bio-based building products.

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Anisotropic Growth of Filamentous Fungi in Wood Hydrogel Composites Increases Mechanical Properties

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Researchers created strong, eco-friendly composite materials by growing fungi inside delignified wood. The fungi naturally aligned with the wood fiber structure, which significantly strengthened the resulting material. By adjusting the type of wood, fungal species, and nutrient content, scientists could fine-tune the material properties. These sustainable composites show promise for use in building materials and packaging applications.

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Harmonizing Nature, Education, Engineering and Creativity: An Interdisciplinary Educational Exploration of Engineered Living Materials, Artistry and Sustainability Using Collaborative Mycelium Brick Construction

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Middle-school students created artistic structures from mycelium (mushroom) materials, learning science, engineering, and art simultaneously. Students designed clay forms, cast them in plaster, filled the molds with mycelium mixture, and watched the living material grow into interconnected sculptures. This hands-on project taught students about sustainable materials, three-dimensional thinking, and teamwork while revealing significant gaps in their understanding of ecology and environmental concepts.

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