Mushrooms could help replace plastics in new high-performance ultra-light materials

Mimicking Fungi to Develop New Materials: Research Group Unlocks Secret to Mushroom Properties The use of plastics in our daily lives is a growing concern. It has become increasingly apparent that alternatives need to be found to reduce our reliance on them. A research group from VTT Technical Research Center of Finland has come up with a potential solution: unlocking the secrets behind the extraordinary mechanical properties and ultra-light weight of certain fungi. Published in Science Advances on February 22, 2023, the research results show that the complex architectural design of mushrooms could be mimicked and used to create new materials to replace plastics. These materials could provide further opportunities to reduce the amount of plastics used in our society. The research group identified how the mechanical properties of mushrooms are a result of the microstructure and nanostructure of the fungal cell wall. The highly organised architecture of the cell wall consists of complex layers of closely packed chitin-based fibrils, which are organised in strands called microfibrils. This unique structure is what gives mushrooms their strength and light weight. Using 3D imaging methods, the researchers studied the structure of the mushroom cells in order to gain an understanding of its mechanical properties. They then used this data to create 3D printed models of the mushroom material, which allowed them to test their strength under various conditions. The results of these experiments showed that the mushroom material was extremely strong and had a particularly impressive compression strength. This means that the mushroom material could be used to create a range of materials with superior mechanical properties. As a result, these could be used to replace plastics in a variety of applications. Replacing plastics with mushroom-based materials would also have additional benefits. For example, the materials could be used to create lightweight products that are also strong and durable. This could result in a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions when these products are manufactured and transported. In addition, the materials could be made from a range of biodegradable components. This means they could be broken down naturally in the environment, reducing the amount of plastic waste that is produced. The research group at VTT Technical Research Center of Finland has opened up a potential route to developing new materials that could be used to replace plastics. By unlocking the secrets behind the extraordinary mechanical properties and ultra-lightweight of certain fungi, this research could be used to create materials with superior strength and durability. These could be used to reduce the amount of plastic waste and fuel consumption that is produced in the manufacturing and transportation of products. With further research, the unique architecture of mushrooms could be successfully mimicked and used to create a range of innovative materials that could help to reduce our reliance on plastics.

https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/mushrooms-could-help-replace-plastics-in-new-high-performance-ultra-light-materials

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