Advanced Materials from Fungal Mycelium: Fabrication and Tuning of Physical Properties
This research demonstrates how fungal mycelium can be grown into sustainable materials with properties that can be controlled by changing what the fungi feed on. These materials could potentially replace petroleum-based plastics in many applications. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides new sustainable alternatives to plastic products – Offers biodegradable packaging materials that are water-resistant – Creates new possibilities for eco-friendly building and insulation materials – Reduces dependence on petroleum-based products – Demonstrates potential for growing rather than manufacturing materials