Biomaterials – Page 2

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.

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.

Strongest untreated mycelium materials produced by Schizophyllum commune dikaryons

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Researchers found that mushroom mycelium grown from dikaryotic strains (with two nuclei) produces stronger, stiffer materials than traditional monokaryon strains used in mycelium-based products. These dikaryotic materials show tensile strength values comparable to some polymers, making them promising for creating sustainable alternatives to leather and textiles. The improved strength comes from differences in cell wall composition and lower expression of a hydrophobin gene, offering new possibilities for bio-based material development.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Researchers created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that could be used for wound healing and skin repairs. These membranes were grown in laboratory conditions and then treated with mango peel extract, which gave them antimicrobial properties to fight bacteria. The membranes are biodegradable, environmentally friendly, and work similar to the structure of skin tissue, making them promising for medical applications.

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

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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.

Functionalized Micellar Membranes from Medicinal Mushrooms as Promising Self-Growing Bioscaffolds

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Scientists created special membranes from medicinal mushrooms that can help heal wounds and regenerate damaged skin. These membranes are grown naturally in liquid culture and enriched with extract from mango peels to fight bacteria and promote healing. The material is completely natural, biodegradable, and performs better than many conventional wound healing materials, making it an eco-friendly option for medical applications.

Innovative chitin-glucan based material obtained from mycelium of wood decay fungal strains

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Researchers have developed a new sustainable leather-like material from fungal mycelium that could replace traditional animal leather and synthetic alternatives. By growing specific wood decay fungi in controlled fermentation systems and extracting their chitin and glucan content, they created flexible sheets with mechanical properties similar to real leather. The materials are biodegradable, require no animal farming, and avoid toxic tanning processes, making them a promising eco-friendly solution for fashion and furniture industries.

Anisotropic Growth of Filamentous Fungi in Wood Hydrogel Composites Increases Mechanical Properties

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Researchers developed new composite materials by growing fungi on specially treated wood. The fungi naturally grow along the wood’s fiber direction, creating stronger, more organized structures than they would in regular gelatin. By adjusting the wood type and nutrient levels, scientists could precisely control the mechanical strength of these eco-friendly materials, which could eventually be used in building products and packaging.

Crab vs. Mushroom: A Review of Crustacean and Fungal Chitin in Wound Treatment

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Chitin, a natural material found in crab shells and mushrooms, can be used to make wound dressings that speed up healing and fight infection. The review compares these two sources, finding that crab-derived chitin has been studied more extensively and has several commercial products available, while mushroom-derived chitin offers advantages like lower cost and easier processing. Both types work by promoting cell growth, stopping bleeding, and killing bacteria, making them promising alternatives to traditional wound dressings for treating difficult-to-heal wounds.

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

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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 Topic: Biomaterials