Dress Made of Living Mycelium Can Renew and Repair Itself
Researchers in China have developed a living mycelium textile that can self-clean, renew its surface, and partially repair holes when treated with a nutrient solution and fresh fungus. The material can also gain added properties such as blue pigmentation or UV resistance by co-culturing it with yeast or other fungi. Dezeen reports: The breakthrough from the researchers at the Shenzhen Institutes…
Researchers in China have successfully developed a living mycelium textile capable of self-cleaning, surface renewal, and partial hole repair when exposed to a nutrient solution and fresh fungus. This breakthrough, reported by Dezeen, represents a type of engineered living material (ELM) that maintains its activity even after fabrication.
By harnessing the biological functions of dormant cordyceps militaris fungus, the researchers have created a material that is not only self-renewing but also responsive to its environment. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize architecture and clothing, as demonstrated by a prototype dress developed in collaboration with material innovation company Peelshere.
The material's programmable fungal platform allows for the addition of various biological properties, such as color and UV resistance, through the incorporation of other fungi or yeast. When subjected to a nutrient solution at 45 degrees, the material transitions from a dormant state to a low-metabolic, semi-living form, enabling it to germinate and repair itself by growing new fungal filaments.
This self-cleaning, hydrophobic material showcases the immense potential of engineered living materials, although further advancements in durability, moisture resistance, safety, and manufacturing consistency are necessary before widespread use in clothing or architecture.
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