Dec 1, 2022
Can you say “Ganoderma lucidum” out loud? It’s not the words of a magic spell — but it could have a big impact. It’s a species of mushroom. Scientists found that it forms a skin. They showed the skin could be a biodegradable replacement for an important part in electronic devices.
A research team in Austria is focused on getting rid of electronic waste (e-waste). That led them to Ganoderma lucidum. They found that this fungus forms a mycelium skin. When dried, the skin is paper-thin, flexible, and a good insulator. It can handle temperatures higher than 290 degrees Fahrenheit. These qualities set it apart from other biodegradable materials. They make the skin a good substrate, the researchers found.
In electronics, a substrate is the base of a circuit inside things like batteries and computer chips. A substrate insulates and cools the metals on top of it. It’s usually made from plastics and thrown out after use. This adds to the world’s 55 million tons of annual e-waste. Only 20% of it is formally recycled, according to a 2019 report co-authored by the United Nations. E-waste is on track to hit 132 million annual tons by 2050, says the same report.
The mushroom skin substrate lasts a long time when kept dry. However, it breaks down in a compost pile in two weeks or less.
“Most importantly,” one of the study's co-authors told CNN, “it can simply be grown from waste wood.” It doesn't cost a lot of money to make. The process doesn't use a lot of energy, either.
Photo by Nina Filippova courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Does Recycling Help Fight Climate Change?
Is recycling good for the environment, or is it actually counteractive to our efforts to reduce carbon emissions? In this podcast, the presenters investigate this question as they track down the places where our recycled items end up.
Food Waste Reading Comprehension
This reading comprehension activity teaches students about food waste, food loss, and what can be done to combat them, then assesses student learning through comprehension questions.
Presenting a Climate Solution
This classroom activity has students create a poster about one of eleven proposed climate solutions, including reducing food waste, educating girls, plant-based meats, and more.
News brought to you by
