As the production of electronic devices continues to increase, scientists are trying to use nature and biodegradability in common components such as microchips.
So believe it or not, the skin from the mycelium of a mushroom can protect chips from heatwinees that reach 200°C.
The scientists from Johannes University Kepler of Austria working on this project found that the mycelium skin is not only heat resistant, but will last for years and can be bent and folded thousands of times without wearing out or tearing.
The fungus in question is Ganoderma lucidum, which grows on rotting wood in the mountains of Europe. As it matures, it creates a fibrous bark to protect itself from the bacteria present on its substrate (wood in this case). This shell can protect microchips.
The substrate under a computer chip is usually made of non-recyclable material such as non-reusable plastic.
“The sheer number of devices that are produced every day along with its reduction durationof their lives inevitably leads to the creation of huge amounts of e-waste," write the authors of the study, who published in Science Advances.
"The circular economy and its concepts recyclings alone they cannot solve the growing waste crisis. Electronics research, and especially electronic materials research, must therefore shift its focus from strictly high functionality to sustainable, cost-effective approaches."
The mycelium crust, which protects the mushroom from the entry of bacteria, breaks down in nature in just 10 days.
According to the researchers, bark is slightly less insulating than plastic, but still withstands high temperatures.
Προς το παρόν, η ομάδα πιστεύει ότι ο φλοιός από το μυκήλιο θα μπορούσε να διαπρέψει σε προϊόντα που δεν απαιτούν ηλεκτρικά κυκλώματα μεγάλης διάρκειας, όπως wearable health monitors και near-field communication (NFC) tags για ηλεκτρονικές Appliances. However, it takes more time to develop.
