mechanical properties – Page 3

Experimental Assessment of Multiple Properties of Mycelium-Based Composites with Sewage Sludge and Bagasse

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Researchers developed a sustainable building material by growing mushroom mycelium (fungal threads) on sewage sludge and bagasse waste. The resulting composites were lightweight, strong enough for highway construction, and environmentally friendly compared to conventional materials made from expanded polystyrene or cement. This innovation offers a promising way to reduce both construction waste and municipal sewage sludge disposal challenges.

Biocomposites Based on Mould Biomass and Waste Fibres for the Production of Agrotextiles: Technology Development, Material Characterization, and Agricultural Application

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Researchers developed a new eco-friendly material made from mould mycelium combined with waste plant fibres that can be used as a substitute for synthetic agricultural textiles. The material successfully grows in about 5 days, can be completely biodegraded in soil within 10 days, and helps seeds germinate faster. This innovation supports sustainable farming by eliminating microplastic pollution from traditional synthetic crop covers while providing better properties than many conventional alternatives.

Biocomposites Based on Mould Biomass and Waste Fibres for the Production of Agrotextiles: Technology Development, Material Characterization, and Agricultural Application

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Researchers developed a new biodegradable material for agriculture made from mould mycelium and waste plant fibres. This eco-friendly crop cover can be used instead of synthetic plastic sheets that damage soil and pollute it with microplastics. The material breaks down naturally in soil within 10 days and can help seeds germinate better, offering farmers a sustainable alternative for protecting their crops.

Impact of Fomes fomentarius growth on the mechanical properties of material extrusion additively manufactured PLA and PLA/Hemp biopolymers

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This research explores how mushroom mycelium can be integrated with 3D-printed plastic materials to create sustainable biocomposites. Scientists tested whether Fomes fomentarius fungus growing on printed PLA and hemp-reinforced plastic specimens affected their strength and stiffness. Results showed that while pure PLA remained largely unaffected by mycelium growth, hemp-reinforced materials experienced some weakening, with effects depending on the duration of fungal colonization and the internal structure of the printed materials. These findings suggest potential applications in developing eco-friendly building materials and insulation products that combine the benefits of living organisms with manufactured polymers.

Cross-linking impacts the physical properties of mycelium leather alternatives by targeting hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides and amino groups of proteins

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Scientists have developed a leather-like material grown from mushroom mycelium (the root structure of fungi) that can match the strength of animal leather through a process called cross-linking or tanning. They tested different cross-linking chemicals—both synthetic ones like glutaraldehyde and natural plant extracts—and found that these chemicals improve the material’s strength and durability. The best results came from treating the mycelium with a low concentration of glutaraldehyde, which made it nearly as strong as real leather while using a sustainable, environmentally-friendly process.

3D printed gyroid scaffolds enabling strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites for greener infrastructures

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Scientists developed a new eco-friendly building material by growing mushroom mycelium on specially designed 3D-printed scaffolds made from wood and plant-based plastic. These mycelium bricks are stronger, better insulators, and more fire-resistant than traditional bricks or foam insulation, while being completely biodegradable. This breakthrough could help reduce the construction industry’s massive carbon footprint and provide a sustainable alternative to harmful conventional building materials.

Cross-linking impacts the physical properties of mycelium leather alternatives by targeting hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides and amino groups of proteins

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Scientists developed a leather-like material made from mushroom mycelium by treating it with chemical cross-linkers similar to those used in traditional leather tanning. The best results came from using glutaraldehyde, which chemically bonded to the mycelium’s proteins and carbohydrates, creating a stronger and more durable material. While the mycelium leather now has comparable strength to conventional leather, it needs to be more flexible. This research offers a more environmentally sustainable alternative to animal leather.

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.

Strongest untreated mycelium materials produced by Schizophyllum commune dikaryons

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Scientists have developed a new method to produce exceptionally strong mushroom-based materials by using dikaryotic strains of Schizophyllum commune instead of monokaryotic strains. These new materials achieved record-breaking strength of 47 MPa, making them stronger than existing mycelium materials while maintaining flexibility. The enhanced strength comes from differences in cell wall composition and lower expression of a specific gene that normally affects material density. This breakthrough could lead to improved fungal-based alternatives for leather and textiles.

3D printed gyroid scaffolds enabling strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites for greener infrastructures

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Scientists developed a new eco-friendly building material made from mushroom mycelium grown on 3D-printed scaffolds. This material is as strong as traditional bricks, provides excellent insulation like foam, resists fire better than conventional materials, and is completely compostable. The innovation could help reduce carbon emissions from construction by replacing harmful petroleum-based and energy-intensive traditional building materials.

Research Keyword: mechanical properties