Researchers managed to make a discovery by analyzing a particular type of mushroom and seeing that it could be used as an alternative to plastic in several applications.. The discovery, published in the journal Science Advances this week, could change the way this type of material is produced.

The fungus Fomes fomostorius is the focus of a recent study published in the journal Science Advances. Researchers have found that it is capable of producing a wide range of materials with diverse properties.. They hope their study of mushroom architecture could lead to more sustainable solutions for materials like plastic.

“We were very impressed with this structure, because if you are a biologist, you will immediately notice that when something so beautiful starts to form, nature simply cannot do it, because it is so great – there must be some function in it” . Pejman Mohammadi, one of the authors of the scientific paper, said in an interview with the VTT Technical Research Center in Finland.

Using mushrooms instead of plastic can be an effective solution to reduce man-made waste. Plastics made from fossil fuels are notoriously difficult to recycle and are a major contributor to environmental pollution, while mushroom-like materials are biodegradable and can be reused to create a sustainable cycle.

Mushrooms have a number of characteristics that can be exploited

Fomes fomosius is a fungus that looks like a horse’s hoof and is usually found in the trunks of large trees. It has been used by humans for a long time, usually as a way to start a fire. Hence it is called hoofed bottom or bait fungus.

Research now shows that the fungus can be used to create new high-performance ultra-lightweight materials. F.forforius is a unique mushroom that consists of three layers with different properties. The outer skin, which is extremely strong, can be used, for example, to produce high-strength and impact-resistant windshield coatings.

Mohammadi also spoke in more detail about other layers found in the mushroom. The middle layer is smooth and has a texture that resembles leather, while the inner layer resembles wood. They used imaging and strength testing technologies to evaluate each layer and determine its applicability in commercial products.

Researchers led by Mohammadi have created a prototype headset that uses mycelium, a structure found in mushrooms. While promising in terms of sustainability, the materials being created still need to be tested for durability and safety for consumers.

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Via: Edge

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