Published 20 hours ago • loading... • Updated 20 hours ago

Fungi could be used to build homes one day, researchers say

Researchers led by Chelsea Heveran published a study on April 16 about using fungi and bacteria to develop living building materials at Montana State University.
The study arises from concerns about cement production, which emits 8% of global carbon dioxide and manufactures over 4 billion metric tons annually, ranking third worldwide in emissions.
The research team combined fungal mycelium with bacteria that produce calcium carbonate, a mineral that hardens the mycelium via biomineralization, creating a stiff, bone-like structure.
Heveran mentioned that her team succeeded in sustaining microbial activity for a minimum of four weeks, while bioengineer Avinash Manjula-Basavanna emphasized that additional research is necessary before these materials can be considered a safe alternative to concrete in building projects.
Though still less durable than concrete and requiring safety research due to fungal allergens, these living materials could become feasible for single-story buildings and space infrastructure in the future.

Insights by Ground AI

Does this summary seem wrong?

22 Articles

All

Left

Center

Right

WMTW

+21 Reposted by 21 other sources

Center

Fungi could be used to build homes one day, researchers say

Living in a house made of fungi and bacteria may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but researchers are now one step closer to eventually making it a reality, according to a new study.

20 hours ago·Portland, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year