- Mycelium may be able to operate electronics one day if it stops biodegrading before the job is done
- Split-Gill sponge extracellular matrix may be key to future green batteries
- Scientists dream of compostable batteries but control of fungal behavior is still a major challenge
Researchers from EMPA, the Swiss Federal Laboratories of Materials Science and Technology, are investigating the potential of the fungal mycelium to create a compact, biodegradable battery.
Their goal is to use mycelium to produce “mushroom paper” for battery electrodes – a concept that, according to researcher Ashutosh Sinha, remains in the experimental phase.
“We want to make a compact, biodegradable battery whose electrodes consist of a vibrant” mushroom paper, “says Sinha, emphasizing that this vision is still a dream for now.
The dream of biodegradable batteries
The idea of a biodegradable battery made of living materials is ambitious. The team works with the mycelium in the split gill fungus, a fungus known for its unique mechanical and biological properties.
This fungus is naturally biodegradable and produces when combined with its extracellular matrix, a material of promising potential for sustainable uses in technology.
The goal is to develop a system that breaks down without releasing harmful waste – as opposed to conventional electronic devices – by using the natural properties of the material.
EMPA researchers are now investigating how mycelium’s tensile strength and its sensitivity to moisture can be applied in components such as biodegradable sensors and batteries.
Working with living materials brings remarkable challenges. Mycelium’s biodegradable character is both an advantage and a limitation.
On the one hand, it could significantly reduce battery environmental impact. On the other hand, its tendency to break down concern for its lifetime and reliability in electronic devices.
Live materials also respond to their environments, making it difficult to predict or control their behavior consistently.
“Biodegradable materials always respond to their environment. We will find uses where this interaction is not an obstacle, but maybe even an advantage,” said EMPA’s Gustav Nyström.
The idea of a compact, biodegradable battery with fungal paper electrodes remains conceptual, and one of the biggest challenges will be to refine the material that meets performance standards required in modern electronics.
Nevertheless, it represents a promising step towards more sustainable and environmentally conscious electronics.
