{"id":137987,"date":"2024-01-25T07:03:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T06:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/?p=137987"},"modified":"2024-01-22T10:06:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T09:06:54","slug":"fungi-coffee-and-pineapples-rethinking-device-materials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/fungi-coffee-and-pineapples-rethinking-device-materials\/","title":{"rendered":"Fungi, coffee, and pineapples \u2013 rethinking device materials"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n

In the automotive sector, consumers have long traded in their old vehicles for a discount on a new model. And that approach is gaining traction in today\u2019s growing circular electronics economy<\/a>. Consumers are encouraged to extend the useful life of their mobiles, tablets, laptops, and other smart electronics by trading in old devices. Leaders in the field have even likened flagship smartphones produced by Apple and Samsung to vehicles made by automotive brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes<\/a> \u2013 given that products can have long lifetimes and serve many owners. But this is just scratching the surface of what can be done to reduce the carbon footprint. By rethinking device materials \u2013 considering novel feedstocks such as fungi, coffee, and pineapples \u2013 future products could be greener than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Rethinking
\u00a9<\/strong> TechHQ<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

On TechHQ<\/em>, we\u2019ve highlighted the merits of using fungal machines as unconventional computers<\/a>, and mushrooms could benefit the technology sector in multiple ways. Materials experts have been investigating whether the thread-like roots of fungi \u2013 known as mycelium \u2013 can serve as the basis for eco-friendly structures. Rethinking device materials could mean that products are simply composted at the end of their lifecycle, reducing the burden of electronic goods on the planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repurposing waste as smart packaging<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Researchers in Thailand (publishing their work in the journal Mycology \u2013 more details below) have shown that using a mixture of natural materials \u2013 in their case, fungi, coffee, and pineapple leaves \u2013 means that the properties of the eco-friendly composite products can be fine-tuned. What\u2019s more, rethinking device materials is an opportunity to repurpose waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In their work, coffee grounds \u2013 collected from Starbucks coffee shops in Bangkok \u2013 are used as a filler and substrate for the mycelium spawn to grow into. The mixture can be placed into a mold to give the natural composite a desired shape. Once a sufficient amount of the mycelium network has formed, the mold and its contents can be transferred to an oven and cured at 80 degC to inhibit any further fungal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee is an extremely popular drink globally. However, only a tiny fraction of the hundreds of millions of kilograms of coffee beans consumed annually makes its way into the cup. Well over 99% of the roasted material ends up as spent coffee grounds \u2013 so there\u2019s no shortage of feedstock for industrial users keen to explore novel applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, the Ford Motor Company and fast-food giant McDonalds teamed up a few years back to convert coffee bean skin into car parts<\/a>. \u201cEvery year, millions of pounds of coffee chaff \u2013 the dried skin of the bean \u2013 naturally comes off during the roasting process,\u201d wrote Ford in its announcement. \u201cTogether, Ford and McDonald\u2019s can provide an innovative new home to a significant portion of that material.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Car parts that were produced included headlamp housings for Ford\u2019s luxury vehicle brand, Lincoln<\/a>. The parts were around 20% lighter than their petroleum-based predecessors and required less energy to produce, which point to further advantages alongside waste repurposing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to the Thai team\u2019s work, the group also added pineapple fibers (sourced from the leaves of the plant) to the bio-composite mix. Adding pineapple fibers affects the flexural strength of the composite, which means that materials can be designed to bend more or less, to suit the application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And \u2013 just like with any regular device packaging \u2013 self-powered Bluetooth sensors can be added to support the circular economy further<\/a>, as we\u2019ve mentioned previously on TechHQ<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of compostable device materials is a hugely promising area, and we may well see products made from fungi, coffee, and pineapple feedstocks in all shapes and sizes in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMoving forward, we aim to delve into techniques such as 3D printing to mold mycelium composites, a topic that stands as a priority in our ongoing studies,\u201d write the researchers in their paper \u2013 \u2018Fabrication of mycelium (oyster mushroom)-based composites derived from spent coffee grounds with pineapple fibre reinforcement (Open Access)<\/a>. \u201cIntegrating 3D printing technology with mycelium composites provides a pioneering method for creating items with unmatched accuracy and adaptability.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"YouTube\"

By loading the video, you agree to YouTube’s privacy policy.
Learn more<\/a><\/p>

Load video<\/a><\/p>