A team of EMPA researchers has created an amazing new biomaterial that is not only completely biodegradable, but also has anti-tear and amazing uses. secret? Still alive.
This innovative mycelial material combines powerful mechanical properties with dynamic life capabilities, and has the potential to change how we approach sustainable materials from food packaging to electronics.
In a study published in Advanced Materials, scientists at Empa’s Cellulose and Wood Materials Laboratory show how mycelium can be processed from ordinary split mushrooms into functional membranes and emulsions, without chemical treatments that often compromise sustainable chemical treatments in biological materials.
The reaction of fungal membranes to moisture can be used in biological-based humidity sensors. Image: Empa
Nature’s ready-made solutions
Unlike traditional methods of fungal material, these researchers chose to utilize a complete system of living. Divided mushrooms naturally produce an extracellular matrix full of useful biological molecules.
“Fungi use this extracellular matrix to impart itself structural and other functional properties. Why shouldn’t we do this?” explained Ashutosh Sinha, a lead author of the study.
“Nature has developed an optimized system,” added Gustav Nyström, head of the Cellulose and Wood Materials Laboratory.
However, researchers did not rely entirely on opportunities. They carefully selected specific strains of the fungus that produced high levels of two valuable compounds:
- Schizophyllan – A nanofiber smaller than nano-thickness, but more than a thousand times longer
- Hydrophobic – a soap-like protein that aggregates at the interface between different liquids
Together, these natural biomolecules provide special properties of fungal materials without chemical modifications to reduce biodegradability.
Self-improvement lotion and powerful movies
What can this creature actually do? The study demonstrates two impressive applications to demonstrate its versatility.
First, the researchers created a living mycelium-stabilized emulsion. Emulsions – Liquids do not usually combine petroleum and water, are common in food, cosmetics and industrial products, but synthetic stabilizers are often required to prevent separation.
Live mycelium provides a continuous supply of natural emulsifiers. “This is probably the only type of emulsion that becomes more stable over time,” Sinha noted. Research shows that these biological emulsions are 3.6 times slower to phase separation compared to conventional alternatives.
What is even more impressive is the film made from mycelium. These transparent plastic-like sheets reach tensile strength 2.5 times after growth, which is stronger than any pure mycelium material previously developed.
Response to its environment
How do these materials be used in daily life? Can biological products actually be practical in consumer products?
The researchers envision many possibilities. Because fungal materials are non-toxic and edible, they can be used as natural emulsifiers in foods and cosmetics. These films may replace conventional plastics in packaging applications that value biodegradability.
The most interesting thing is that the material’s response to environmental conditions such as humidity opens up possibilities for intelligent applications. The reaction of the fungal membrane to moisture and can act as a biodegradable humidity sensor. The team showed that humidity can trigger superhydrophobic patterns, mechanical actuation, and even target the degradation of lignocellulosic materials.
“Biodegradable materials always react to their environment,” Nyström said. “We want to find applications where this kind of interaction is not a barrier but an advantage.”
The future of fungi engineering
Sinha envisions compostable bags that can actively decompose organic waste: “It can be used to make bags of compost organic waste itself.”
The team is also developing a biodegradable battery that combines its survival materials with previous studies on fungal and paper batteries. “We wanted to produce a compact biodegradable battery with electrodes composed of live ‘fungal paper’,” Sinha explained.
As sustainable materials become increasingly important in addressing environmental challenges, this live myhyphae strata provides an interesting alternative to traditional approaches. By working with natural existing solutions, rather than opposing them, these researchers have created a promising framework for future materials that are both high-performance and environmentally responsible.
This study represents the elegant intersection between traditional fiber processing methods and emerging materials fields. As Nyström said, they “combined processing fiber-based materials with emerging materials fields”.
With its unique combination of biodegradability, strength and reactivity to environmental stimuli, this live fungal material may soon grow into an application we haven’t imagined yet.
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