China develops self-healing living fabric for clothing

A publication from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences mentions the creation in the Asian country of a self-healing living fabric for clothing.

“The material created by the scientists proved to be resistant and flexible.” It would be used to make clothing from the living mycelium of the Cordyceps militaris fungus. A rope made from four narrow strips of this material can support a weight of 1 kilogram.

The first test was a prototype dress. The process began with cultivating the fungus in a liquid medium until small, spherical aggregates of mycelium formed. These were then placed in molds and dried at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. The adjacent parts of the mycelium join together and form a continuous sheet without the need for adhesives, stitching, or an additional base.

This self-repairing ability is possible because the mycelium does not die at a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius; instead, it enters a state of reduced activity, retaining its metabolic activity and regenerative capacity. The researchers were able to demonstrate that the new living tissue can be molded and stitched to form larger structures.

Some aspects still need to be investigated, such as improving its breathability, abrasion resistance, and controlling its biological activation.

The study participants believe that this rapidly degradable material could be used in various fields, including biomedical technologies.

M.Pino

Source: tvbrics

(Reference image source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases on Unsplash)

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