This fabric is alive. Would you wear it?

3 months ago by solo to c/fungus

This biodegradable textile is alive and can host engineered microbes that can change its color or add UV protection

Instead of weaving fibers, the team grew dense mats of mycelium, the threadlike filaments of which naturally intertwine into cohesive sheets. The researchers then soaked the material in glycerol—a syrupy compound that acts as a plasticizer, making the mycelium softer and more flexible without killing it. The result was a supple, living textile.

When supplied with nutrients, the fabric sprouts a layer of fuzzy fungal filaments across its surface, effectively renewing itself.

Clothing made from this is not ready-to-wear. And even if the technology matures, it won’t solve fashion’s sustainability problem.

ordnance_qf_17_pounder 7 points 3 months ago

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tabris 4 points 3 months ago

With how prone to infections my skin is, I wouldn't get anywhere near this, unless I wanted to become a mycelium/human hybrid.

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Obituarykidney 4 points 3 months ago

Sounds like sensory hell.

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RebekahWSD 4 points 3 months ago

An absolute nightmare inside my brain.

Cool concept though!

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HubertManne 3 points 2 months ago

sure if im not allergic. just like any other material. its all going to be cost and performance.

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ArmoredThirteen 2 points 3 months ago

Hell yes absolutely, fucking love mushrooms

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VerdantMoon 1 point 2 months ago

I mean... Alive is better than dead, no? I'd much rather wear this than, say, fur.

But I also sew, and like to make things with durable and machine washable natural fibre fabric. Materials like the mycelium in this article have a hard time fitting into our current way of both manufacturing and caring for our clothes. It's a very cool proof of concept, but I have a hard time seeing it come into widespread use.

I wonder if it may be better suited for like, food packaging? Instead of all the plastic...

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