Research Topic: mechanical properties

BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork

Researchers developed a new type of injectable mycelium paste combined with knitted fabric formwork to create lightweight, sustainable building materials. The BioKnit prototype demonstrates that this approach can produce large, complex structures like an arched dome using fungal material instead of traditional construction materials. The textile framework dramatically strengthens the mycelium composite while keeping the material environmentally friendly and relatively easy to produce.

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Mechanical properties of dense mycelium-bound composites under accelerated tropical weathering conditions

Researchers developed a sustainable alternative to traditional particleboard using mushroom mycelium (fungal root structure) grown on agricultural waste like sawdust and palm fruit remnants. When exposed to hot, humid tropical conditions for 35 days, the material’s strength decreased significantly, but applying a protective oil coating helped preserve tensile strength. The study shows that with improvements to manufacturing processes, these mushroom-based composites could replace harmful formaldehyde-based particleboards in indoor construction.

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

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.

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Waste Rose Flower and Lavender Straw Biomass—An Innovative Lignocellulose Feedstock for Mycelium Bio-Materials Development Using Newly Isolated Ganoderma resinaceum GA1M

Researchers developed eco-friendly building materials by growing mushroom mycelium (Ganoderma resinaceum) on waste residues from rose and lavender essential oil production. These waste biomasses, typically discarded or burned, were successfully converted into biocomposites with properties comparable to hempcrete and other sustainable materials. The resulting mycelium-based materials are completely natural, biodegradable, and possess antimicrobial and aromatic properties, offering a promising sustainable alternative to synthetic materials.

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Comparative Evaluation of Mechanical and Physical Properties of Mycelium Composite Boards Made from Lentinus sajor-caju with Various Ratios of Corn Husk and Sawdust

Researchers developed biodegradable composite boards using mushroom mycelium (Lentinus sajor-caju) grown on agricultural waste like corn husks and sawdust. By adjusting the ratio of these materials and board thickness, they created boards with properties comparable to commercial softboards and acoustic panels. These eco-friendly boards could replace synthetic materials in construction and furniture, reducing waste and pollution while maintaining good mechanical strength and sound absorption properties.

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Influence of the Ultrasonic Treatment on the Properties of Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate, Modified by Antimicrobial Additive

Researchers developed a new eco-friendly plastic material for food packaging that combines two important benefits: it breaks down naturally in the environment, and it prevents harmful bacteria and fungi from growing on food. The material is made from a biodegradable plastic called PBAT mixed with a natural extract from birch bark. Using special ultrasonic sound waves during manufacturing helped distribute the birch extract evenly throughout the material, improving its performance.

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Characterization of Self-Growing Biomaterials Made of Fungal Mycelium and Various Lignocellulose-Containing Ingredients

Scientists developed environmentally-friendly foam-like materials by growing mushroom mycelium (the root-like network of fungi) on agricultural waste like hemp and sawdust. These natural composites are strong, biodegradable, and can be used for packaging or insulation instead of plastic foam. However, they absorb water easily and can develop mold if exposed to moisture, so they need protective coatings for some applications.

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Effect of nano-TiO2 size and utilization ratio on the performance of photocatalytic concretes; self-cleaning, fresh, and hardened state properties

Scientists developed a new type of concrete that can clean itself by breaking down pollutants in water using nano-sized titanium dioxide particles and sunlight. The study tested different sizes and amounts of these nanoparticles to find the best combination for removing textile dyes from wastewater. While the larger nanoparticles worked better for photocatalytic cleaning, the smaller ones made the concrete stronger, suggesting a trade-off between cleaning ability and structural durability.

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Gradient porous structures of mycelium: a quantitative structure–mechanical property analysis

Scientists studied how mushroom root structures (mycelium) naturally develop different properties from bottom to top as they grow. They found that the thicker, older parts near the food source are stiffer and more densely packed with fibers, while the thinner, younger parts are more porous and flexible. This natural gradient could be useful for creating biodegradable materials for medical implants, filters, and other applications where changing properties are beneficial.

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

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.

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