Enhancing the potential of eco-friendly mycelial materials

Where plants have roots, fungi have mycelia, and these unique structures could serve as eco-friendly alternatives to many traditional materials. Mycelia form intricate networks of interconnected cells, and researchers have developed them into leather substitutes, flexible foams, filtration membranes, wound healing devices, and more. Their ability to break down plant matter can make them useful bio-adhesives with natural building materials, and they can be grown within diverse materials from textiles to hydrogels, exhibiting a range of properties.

Wenjing Sun explored the potential uses for mycelial materials and the challenges facing their continued development.

Because mycelial materials are so broadly applicable, and their study inherently interdisciplinary, the field has struggled to establish standards and develop concrete fundamentals.

“A primary issue is the lack of standardized nomenclature, hindering effective communication and research,” said Sun. “The paper emphasizes the importance of developing a standardized terminology and classification system. This is crucial for enhancing clarity in academic discourse, facilitating industrial application, and promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration within this evolving field.”

With established standards, researchers would be better positioned to develop mycelial materials and explore their full potential. Future research would involve better understanding their fundamental properties, reducing the variability of their impacts when used, and transparently assessing their performance.

“I am particularly excited about the prospect of scaling up mycelial materials,” said Sun. “This process will involve expanding their current applications and innovating processing techniques to make the most of their unique properties. Ensuring their true sustainability through appropriate assessments is also a critical aspect.”

Source: “Fungal mycelia: from innovative materials to promising products: insights and challenges,” by Wenjing Sun, Biointerphases (2024). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0003441 .

This paper is part of The Future of Biointerface Science Collection, learn more here .