Sustainable materials

Fungi as source for new bio-based materials: a patent review

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Researchers reviewed patents from 2009-2018 on using fungal mycelium to create eco-friendly materials. Instead of petroleum-based plastics, scientists grow fungi on agricultural waste like corn stalks and wood chips, where fungal threads bind the materials together into strong, biodegradable products. These fungal materials are being developed for packaging, car interiors, textiles, and insulation, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Synthesis of Acetobacter xylinum Bacterial Cellulose Aerogels and Their Effect on the Selected Properties

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Scientists created a special lightweight foam-like material made from bacterial cellulose that could be used in wound dressings, insulation, and water filtration. The material was made sustainably using just tea, sugar, and bacteria—no harmful chemicals needed. Different freezing methods were tested to create the best possible structure, with liquid nitrogen freezing producing the most porous and uniform results. The material showed excellent insulation properties and is biodegradable, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic foams.

BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork

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Researchers developed a new type of injectable mycelium paste combined with knitted fabric formwork to create lightweight, sustainable building materials. The BioKnit prototype demonstrates that this approach can produce large, complex structures like an arched dome using fungal material instead of traditional construction materials. The textile framework dramatically strengthens the mycelium composite while keeping the material environmentally friendly and relatively easy to produce.

Mechanical properties of dense mycelium-bound composites under accelerated tropical weathering conditions

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Researchers developed a sustainable alternative to traditional particleboard using mushroom mycelium (fungal root structure) grown on agricultural waste like sawdust and palm fruit remnants. When exposed to hot, humid tropical conditions for 35 days, the material’s strength decreased significantly, but applying a protective oil coating helped preserve tensile strength. The study shows that with improvements to manufacturing processes, these mushroom-based composites could replace harmful formaldehyde-based particleboards in indoor construction.

Sustainable Pultruded Sandwich Profiles with Mycelium Core

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Researchers developed a new eco-friendly material using mycelium (fungal networks) as the core in lightweight composite structures used for manufacturing. This mycelium-based approach offers a sustainable alternative to traditional foam and wood cores, with comparable mechanical performance. The manufacturing process produces significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions when using electric heating instead of oil heating, making it a promising option for industries seeking environmentally responsible materials.

Electrospinning Enables Opportunity for Green and Effective Antibacterial Coatings of Medical Devices

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Scientists have developed a greener way to coat medical devices like wound dressings and catheters with antibacterial materials using electrospun fibers. These tiny fibers are made from natural, renewable materials and release antimicrobial agents slowly and effectively to prevent infections. Unlike traditional antibiotics that can create resistance, these coatings use multiple attack methods against bacteria, making them harder for microbes to develop resistance against.

Properties of Sound Absorption Composite Materials Developed Using Flax Fiber, Sphagnum Moss, Vermiculite, and Sapropel

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Researchers created new environmentally friendly sound-absorbing panels using lake sediment (sapropel) as a binder mixed with natural fibers and minerals. These composite materials work well for reducing noise in buildings and have a decorative natural appearance. However, because they contain organic materials, they are susceptible to mold growth and need antimicrobial protection, with materials containing vermiculite performing better than those with moss.

Biobased Materials from Microbial Biomass and Its Derivatives

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This review explores how scientists are creating environmentally friendly materials using microorganisms like yeast, fungi, and bacteria instead of petroleum. These microbial-based materials can form flexible films suitable for food packaging and other applications. They are biodegradable, renewable, and can even be made from waste products generated by brewing and other industries. This approach offers a sustainable solution to plastic pollution while supporting a circular economy.

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.

The beauty and the morbid: fungi as source of inspiration in contemporary art

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This article explores how artists are using fungi and fungal science as inspiration and material for contemporary artwork. From clothing made of mycelium to installations exploring decay and renewal, artists are discovering that fungi offer unique possibilities for addressing modern environmental and social issues. The paper highlights how collaboration between artists and scientists can lead to innovative solutions and new ways of thinking about materials, sustainability, and the relationship between life and death.

Research Keyword: Sustainable materials