Dr. Haocheng Quan

Abstract:

Mycelium-based composites are gaining significant attention as sustainable, biodegradable materials for applications ranging from construction to packaging. Our research examines two key bracket fungi—Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) and Fomes fomentarius—focusing on their structural hierarchy and mechanical behavior. For G. lucidum, we characterized fruiting bodies with a trimitic hyphal network comprising a dense crust, a porous context, and vertically oriented, segmented hymenial tubes. Micro-computed tomography (µCT) revealed how tube segmentation enables staged buckling and crack deflection, boosting energy absorption. Meanwhile, in F. fomentarius (historically used for amadou production), we specifically investigated its context layer, where variations in hyphal organization and density critically influence tensile performance and damage tolerance. Through structural and chemical analysis, mechanical testing, and in situ SEM characterization—including comparisons with commercial mycelium composites—we show how pore architecture, hyphal bundling, and compositional gradients collectively govern the distinct, tunable properties of these fungal materials.

The hierarchical designs of both fungi provide valuable blueprints for robust, lightweight bioinspired materials. Implementing these natural principles could advance sustainable industrial solutions with closed-loop life cycles, particularly improving load-bearing capacity, damage tolerance, and energy absorption in engineered systems.