Fungi could be used to build homes one day. Meet the researchers trying to make it possible
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Living in a house made of Fungi Bacteria may seem to be things of science fiction, but researchers are now step one step away from making it a reality in the end, according to a new study.
The research team in Montana grew a thick tangle, spongy of fungi-structure that resembles the roots that connect innate underground networks-as a framework for creating living and self-living building materials.
The ability to create strong pregnancy structures with live materials is still many years away. However, this discovery is an important step towards creating a sustainable cement alternative, the attachment of connection in concrete Physical science cell reports.
More than 4 billion metric tons (4.4 billion tons) of cement are manufactured annually, which contributes to about 8 % of international carbon dioxide emissions, according to London -based London Research Chatham’s house. This means that if the production of cement is a country, it will rank third after China and the United States on the basis 2023 emissions.
“What if we could do it in a different way using biology? “This is the vision,” said Haifan, an assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Montana State University.
The authors of the study presented bacteria capable of producing calcium carbonate – the same chemical compound in coral, eggshell and limestone – to fungi fungi, which served as scales. Through a process called the biological threat, calcium carbonate sclerodates, flexible fungi in a cruel, similar structure.
“We are not the first to put something vital and call it a building material … but if you want to keep the bacteria alive for a longer period so that you can do more, there were some challenges to expand the feasibility scope.” “That is why we gave them fungal fungi scales, because fungi are really strong, and in nature, sometimes they (themselves).”
Try the team to leave the fungi, called Neurospora Crassa, BORMINALITED on its own, but found that killing it and then adding microbes helped achieve a more solid material in less time. Bacteria, called SPOROSANCINA PASTEURIII, created crystal networks of calcium carbonate around fungal threads after urea metabolism, which resembles eating for bacteria.
While other vital building materials are only a “living” for a few days, Haifan said her team was able to maintain the activity of microbes for at least four weeks, and in the end, that period may extend to months or even years.
“We are really excited about our next work to ask questions.” Can we close a crack in the article? “Or“ Can we feel something using these bacteria? ”Like, imagine that you have poor air quality in your building, and these bricks were your walls. Havan said.” Before, we could not do so because the microbes were not alive enough, but they are now alive.
Chelsea great author (center) of Montana State University and students (from the left) Ethan Felze and Luff Ellmalm works as a team for the preparation of biological metal materials. – Marine Stopol
There is still a grinding room for improvement
Avenash Mongo Passafana, a vital engineer who did not participate in the study, said before using it for homes, fences or construction, more tests are needed to find a live building material to replace cement.
“These types of experiments are done on a small scale … … they are not necessarily a reflection of the characteristics of loose materials,” said Mango Pasiafana, a research scientist at North Eston University in Boston. “It is not hard for people to care when it comes to building materials. It is strength, () the ability of pregnancy.”
While the strength and durability of live building materials is not equally with concrete, Heveran said that Myelium is still a promising base. Thanks to its elasticity, the sticky material can be formed to include vascular -like channels inside the bundles, bricks or walls.
Like blood vessels in the human body, cells inside live building materials need structures that are able to connect nutrients to survive. However, adding these structures to the design of building materials can make them weaker, which represents a challenge for future studies, says Mongo Pasiafana.
“I think in the future, it may be useful for one-floor buildings, these smaller structures-they are largely possible,” said Mango Pasiafana. “It may range from five to 10 years.”
Haifan said that although fungi are also a possible respiratory risk, and although the killing of fungi reduces its ability to produce allergens, more research should be done before it is considered safe to live.
“It is very clear to depict a test frame through which the materials should be strong enough, because these types of standards are already present,” he said. “But we do not have regulatory criteria for bricks that contain cells in them.”
We look forward
It is safe to say that you will not see fungi fungi sold at the local home improvement store any time soon.
Heveran team is only One of the many In countries that explore the possibilities of fungi, which have been used for other most soft elements such as packaging and insulation.
Haifan said that many government agencies are already interested in potential use of live building materials.
“There is a lot of” IFS “that must play its role in the regular family to benefit from this,” he said.
“But for society, it may be much cheaper when you try to build an infrastructure for a society that really needs it, or if you are trying to build an infrastructure in space, this may be much easier than cement and concrete cent there,” she explained. “The possibilities are really exciting for me.”
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