Engineered mycelium sheets for next-generation vegan leather
발표자
김효정 (한양대학교)
연구책임자
엄영호 (한양대학교)
초록
내용
Mycelium with a fungal network has garnered significant attention as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics owing to its robust fibrous structure, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. However, its flexible use in advanced materials typically requires processing methods that may compromise its sustainability. Herein, we introduce controlled disentanglement method that enables the engineering of mycelium fibers into a processable and viscoelastic suspension. To enhance the viscoelasticity of the suspension during sheet casting, a minimal content (5 w/w%) of marine-derived binders is incorporated. The spreadability and structural recovery of this viscoelastic mycelium suspension were evaluated by three interval thixotropy tests, confirming its stable thixotropic behavior under high stress. The reassembled mycelium-based sheets exhibit remarkable enhancements in tensile modulus, strength, and stretchability, by 147%, 374%, and 292%, compared to neat mycelium sheet.