| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Understanding the Micro-Mechanical Properties and Biomechanical Behavior of Wasatch Range Bracket Polypore Fungi |
| Author(s) |
Ihsan Sameer Elnunu, Jessica N. Redmond, Steven E. Naleway |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ihsan Sameer Elnunu |
| Abstract Scope |
Bracket polypore fungi sporocarps present promising and sustainable green material solutions for structural applications with high strength-to-weight ratios mechanical properties. Although the fungi kingdom has millions of species, the mechanical properties of the fungi sporocarps have been minimally studied. Using a micro-mechanical tester, we characterize the biomechanical behavior and properties of the sporocarps, followed by micro-scale imaging to assess the microstructural integrity and failure. Fresh bracket sporocarps foraged from Utah’s Wasatch Range demonstrate increased mechanical properties in the radial direction, i.e., along the fibers’ growth direction. The biomechanical characterization of fungi will allow us to explore the potential of using fungi as a sustainable alternative to existing environmentally harmful and wasteful applications in aerospace, agriculture, and structural materials. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Biomaterials, Mechanical Properties, |