Research Topic: Materials Science and Engineering

Thermal Degradation and Fire Properties of Fungal Mycelium and Mycelium-Biomass Composite Materials

This research explores how mushroom mycelium (fungal threads) can be grown with wheat grains to create fire-resistant composite materials. The study found that these mycelium-based composites are significantly safer than plastic polymers, catching fire less easily and releasing less heat when burned. The mycelium acts like a natural fire shield by forming a protective char layer. These findings suggest mycelium composites could be a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic plastics for packaging and insulation applications.

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Development and characterization of novelly grown fire-resistant fungal fibers

Scientists developed fire-resistant fibers from fungal mycelium grown with silica, offering a natural alternative to synthetic plastic fibers used in concrete. These fungal fibers burn more slowly, retain more material after heating, and create protective char layers that help prevent concrete spalling during fires. The new fibers are more environmentally friendly, cheaper to produce, and significantly outperform traditional polypropylene fibers in fire-resistant applications.

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

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.

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Resistance of Cereal-Husk-Reinforced PVC Terrace Profiles to Agaricomycetes Fungi

This study tested how well new terrace boards made from oat and millet husks mixed with plastic perform when exposed to wood-rotting fungi. The results showed that oat-husk boards are as resistant as the commonly used rice-husk boards, making them a good sustainable alternative for outdoor terraces. However, millet-husk boards were found to be too vulnerable to fungal damage for this application.

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

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.

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Precision of Fungal Resistance Test Method for Cereal Husk-Reinforced Composite Construction Profiles Considering Mycelium Removal Techniques

Researchers tested how well different methods measure a composite material’s resistance to fungal attack. They found that the current testing method is not very reliable, with results varying significantly between tests. More importantly, they discovered that how you clean off the fungus after testing can significantly affect the results, suggesting that testing standards need to be improved and standardized.

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