Peace helps us to revitalize, especially if we are used to loud environments. Most materials used in soundproofing are difficult to recycle, however.
Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute have turned to fungus for the answer, or rather its vegetative component, mycelium.
Lab-developed mycelium is mixed with a substrate made of straw, wood fibers and waste from the food industry, and the mixture turned into its desired form using a 3D printer. Hyphae, thread-like cells which grow inside the fungus, help to reinforce the open-celled structure.
Next the material is kiln-dried at high temperatures, fixing its shape. The soundproofing technology is notable for its eco-friendly manufacturing process.
Did we mention it’s also fully biodegradable? Sounds good to us.
