Living mycelium composites discern weights

Abstract

Fungal construction materials -substrates colonised by mycelium -are getting increased recognition as viable ecologically friendly alternatives to conventional building materials. A functionality of the constructions made from fungal materials would be enriched if blocks with living mycelium, known for their ability to respond to chemical, optical and tactile stimuli, were inserted. We investigate how large blocks of substrates colonised with mycelium of Ganoderma resinaceum respond to stimulation with heavy weights. We analyse details of the electrical responses to the stimulation with weights and show that ON and OFF stimuli can be discriminated by the living mycelium composites and that a habituation to the stimulation occurs.

Fungal electronics

“…ON spikes are 1.4 higher than and twice as longer as OFF spikes. Based on this comparison of the response spikes we can claim that fungal blocks recognise when a weight was applied or removed [8]. The results complement our studies on tactile stimulation of fungal skin (mycelium sheet with no substrate) [9]: the fungal skin responds to application and removal of pressure with spikes of electrical potential.…”

“…An example of electrical activity recorded on 8 channels, during the stimulation with 16 kg weight, is shown in Fig. 4(b) [8]. In response to application of 16 kg weight the fungal blocks produced spikes with median amplitude 1.4 mV and median duration 456 sec; average amplitude of ON spikes was 2.9 mV and average duration 880 sec.…”

“…Channels are colour coded as (1-2) -black, (3-4) -red, (5-6) -blue, (7-8)green, (9-10) -magenta, (11-12)-orange, (13-14) -yellow. From[8].…”