Finnish scientists have uncovered the secret behind the extraordinary mechanical properties and ultra-light "weight" of Laminaria woodruff. The results show that the mushroom's complex structure can be mimicked to replace plastic to make ultra-light, high-performance materials for use in the development of sports equipment and bullet-proof vests, among other things. The study was published in the 22nd issue of Science Advances.
Research at the National Technical Research Centre of Finland has shown that the substratum of Laminaria woodii is a functionally graded material with three distinct layers. The mycelial network is the main component in all layers, but in each layer the mycelium exhibits a very distinct microstructure with unique orientation, aspect ratio, density and branching length. The extracellular matrix acts as a reinforcing binder and varies from layer to layer in terms of quantity, polymer content and interconnectivity.
Research has shown that the structure of Laminaria woodshovelii is so unique that it can be modified to create a wide range of materials with different properties that exceed those of most natural and man-made materials.
The latest results show for the first time the complex structural, chemical, and mechanical characteristics of Laminaria mucronata throughout its evolution, which act synergistically to create an entirely new high-performance material. The results of the research are expected to lead to the next generation of strong, lightweight sustainable materials for the development of impact-resistant implants, sports equipment, bullet-proof vests, aircraft casings, electronic devices, or windshield surface coatings.
According to the researchers, the structural and biochemical principles of Laminaria mucronata open up new possibilities for materials engineering, such as making ultra-lightweight materials, nanocomposites with enhanced mechanical properties, or exploring new manufacturing routes for next-generation programmable materials with high performance. In addition, using simple ingredients to grow out the material helps reduce the cost, time and more sustainability of manufacturing and consuming the material in the future.
