The complex structure of Fomes fomentarius represents an architectural design for high-performance ultralightweight materials.
Sci Adv
; 9(8): eade5417, 2023 02 22.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36812306
ABSTRACT
High strength, hardness, and fracture toughness are mechanical properties that are not commonly associated with the fleshy body of a fungus. Here, we show with detailed structural, chemical, and mechanical characterization that Fomes fomentarius is an exception, and its architectural design is a source of inspiration for an emerging class of ultralightweight high-performance materials. Our findings reveal that F. fomentarius is a functionally graded material with three distinct layers that undergo multiscale hierarchical self-assembly. Mycelium is the primary component in all layers. However, in each layer, mycelium exhibits a very distinct microstructure with unique preferential orientation, aspect ratio, density, and branch length. We also show that an extracellular matrix acts as a reinforcing adhesive that differs in each layer in terms of quantity, polymeric content, and interconnectivity. These findings demonstrate how the synergistic interplay of the aforementioned features results in distinct mechanical properties for each layer.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Coriolaceae
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Sci Adv
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Finlândia