Sustainable materials – Page 2

Temporal characterization of biocycles of mycelium-bound composites made from bamboo and Pleurotus ostreatus for indoor usage

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Scientists created a sustainable building material by growing oyster mushroom fungus on bamboo fibers. The material was strong enough for packaging and could be composted after use to enrich soil, completing a full cycle in about 7 months. By adding a natural beeswax coating, the material lasted longer while remaining completely biodegradable. This proof-of-concept demonstrates how fungal materials could replace synthetic plastics in a circular economy.

Patent landscape analysis for materials based on fungal mycelium: a guidance report on how to interpret the current patent situation

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This report analyzes patents protecting mycelium-based materials that could replace plastic and petroleum products in construction, packaging, and insulation. Researchers found 73 existing patents and 34 applications, mostly owned by three US companies, with concerns that overly broad patent protections may be slowing innovation in this promising sustainable materials field. The findings suggest that while mycelium materials show tremendous potential as eco-friendly alternatives, patent restrictions need better management to accelerate their development and commercialization.

Biomass carbon mining to develop nature-inspired materials for a circular economy

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This paper explains how we can turn waste biomass from agriculture and industry into valuable materials to replace petroleum-based products. By using computational methods and artificial intelligence, researchers can design more efficient processes to convert plant and animal waste into bioplastics, chemicals, and building materials. Over 100 companies are already successfully doing this, creating products from waste coffee grounds, seaweed, agricultural residue, and other biomass sources.

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling up Architectural Applications of Mycelium-Based Materials with Digital Fabrication

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Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be grown with agricultural waste to create building materials that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. While these materials show promise for insulation and non-structural uses, scaling them up for large buildings faces challenges including lower strength compared to traditional materials and lack of standardized production methods. The paper reviews various fabrication techniques and existing projects to suggest how digital design and advanced manufacturing could help overcome these barriers.

Development of Leather-like Materials from Enzymatically Treated Green Kiwi Peel and Valorization of By-Products for Microbial Bioprocesses

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This research shows how kiwi fruit peels, normally discarded as waste, can be transformed into leather-like materials through enzymatic treatment. The study found that treating the peels with commercial enzymes produced flexible, durable films with properties comparable to traditional leather, while the leftover liquid from the treatment process could be used to grow industrially useful yeast cultures. This integrated approach demonstrates how agro-food waste can be completely recycled into valuable products, supporting sustainable manufacturing practices.

Multi-Organism Composites: Combined Growth Potential of Mycelium and Bacterial Cellulose

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Scientists combined two biological materials—mycelium (fungal roots) and bacterial cellulose—to create new sustainable composites. Through a series of experiments, they found these organisms could grow together successfully when using knitted fabric as a scaffold. The main challenge was preventing mold contamination when both organisms were alive, but the resulting materials showed strong attachment and diverse functional possibilities. This research could lead to new eco-friendly materials for architecture and design.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

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Researchers have developed a novel method to make mushroom-based materials stronger by coating them with biodegradable plastics using 3D printing technology. This approach combines fungal mycelium from Fomes fomentarius with eco-friendly polymers to create composites that are significantly stronger than plain mycelium while remaining fully compostable. The resulting materials could be used for flexible devices, interior design, and other applications where both strength and environmental sustainability are important.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

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Researchers developed a new way to make fungal mushroom mats stronger by printing biodegradable plastic patterns onto them using 3D printing technology. The resulting composite materials combined the sustainability of fungal products with improved strength, making them suitable for flexible applications like smart textiles and lightweight parts. Both tested polymers (PHBH and PLA) enhanced the mycelium’s mechanical properties, with PLA showing superior strength improvements while PHBH offered home compostability.

Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Mechanical Properties in Mycelium-Based Biocomposites

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Researchers used artificial intelligence to predict how strong mushroom-based materials would be. These eco-friendly composites are made from wood particles held together by fungal networks instead of synthetic glue. The AI model successfully learned to predict the strength of these materials based on which type of fungus was used and what wood particles they were grown on, potentially reducing the need for expensive testing.

Improving the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Mycelium-Based Green Composites Using Paper Waste

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Researchers created environmentally friendly materials called mycelium-based composites by growing mushroom mycelia on agricultural waste like corn husks mixed with recycled paper waste. When they added 20% paper waste to corn husk composites, the materials became stronger and more durable, making them suitable for packaging and decorative items. This approach cleverly recycles paper waste while creating sustainable alternatives to plastic-based materials.

Research Keyword: Sustainable materials