Sustainable materials – Page 3

Quantification of fungal biomass in mycelium composites made from diverse biogenic side streams

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed a new method to measure how much fungal growth occurs in mycelium-based composite materials, which are sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging and insulation. By analyzing fungal DNA, they tested 20 different combinations of three mushroom species with various waste materials from agriculture and food production. The results show that the amount of fungal growth needed for stable, usable materials varies significantly depending on which mushroom species is used and what waste material serves as the base.

Fungal Strain Influences Thermal Conductivity, Hydrophobicity, Color Homogeneity, and Mold Contamination of Mycelial Composites

mycolabadmin

Scientists tested mushroom-based materials grown on hemp for use as eco-friendly insulation. They compared nine different mushroom species to see which created the best insulation with desired properties. Some materials performed as well as or better than commercial foam insulation, and they discovered a novel way to prevent mold growth by exposing developing materials to dead mold spores.

Shifu-Inspired Fungal Paper Yarns

mycolabadmin

Scientists have developed a new method to turn mushroom material into yarn using an ancient Japanese papermaking technique called Shifu. By processing white button mushrooms and rolling the resulting sheets into thread, researchers created yarns with strength comparable to cotton and commercial paper yarns. This innovation opens possibilities for using fungal material in clothing, carpets, and furniture, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers.

Textile residue-based mycelium biocomposites from Pleurotus ostreatus

mycolabadmin

Researchers successfully grew oyster mushroom mycelium on textile waste to create eco-friendly biocomposites that could replace plastic packaging. The fungus naturally binds textile fibers together, creating lightweight materials with useful structural properties. This approach transforms textile waste into sustainable products while addressing plastic pollution, offering a promising solution for converting unwanted clothing and fabric scraps into useful materials.

Study on the Properties and Design Applications of Polyester–Cotton Matrix Mycelium Composite Materials

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed eco-friendly composite materials by growing oyster mushroom mycelium on waste polyester-cotton textile fibers. The optimal blend was 65% polyester and 35% cotton, which balanced strength, water resistance, and ability to break down in soil. These materials could replace foam plastics in packaging and home products while helping solve the problem of textile waste.

Fungal Innovations—Advancing Sustainable Materials, Genetics, and Applications for Industry

mycolabadmin

Fungi can be engineered to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials for construction, textiles, and packaging. Using advanced genetic tools and controlled growing conditions, scientists can customize fungal materials to have specific properties like flexibility or rigidity. These mycelium-based materials are biodegradable, renewable, and offer promising alternatives to traditional synthetic and conventional materials, helping reduce our dependence on petroleum-based products.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Phlebiopsis friesii (Phanerochaetaceae, Polyporales), a New Record in Thailand and the First Preliminary Characterization of Its Potential in Mycelium Mats

mycolabadmin

Researchers in Thailand discovered a mushroom species called Phlebiopsis friesii and found it could be used to create a sustainable leather alternative. By growing the mushroom mycelium (the thread-like root structure) in different nutrient broths and treating it with special chemicals, scientists created flexible, leather-like mats that could replace animal leather in fashion and manufacturing. This discovery offers an eco-friendly solution to reduce the environmental damage caused by traditional leather production.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Mycofabrication of sustainable mycelium-based leather using Talaromyces sp. and irradiated eggplant peel waste

mycolabadmin

Scientists developed a new type of eco-friendly leather made from fungal mycelium grown on eggplant peel waste. Using radiation to treat the eggplant peels made them stronger and more flexible, and optimizing the growing conditions improved the material’s quality. The resulting mycoleather has mechanical properties comparable to real leather but is completely biodegradable and sustainable, offering a promising alternative to traditional leather production.

Research Keyword: Sustainable materials