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Effects of Humidity on Mycelium-Based Leather
Ashoka Karunarathne1, Günel Nabiyeva1, Christopher J Rasmussen2
1Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey 07102, United States.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|October 9, 2024
Summary
This study explores how humidity affects mycelium-based leather, a sustainable alternative to animal leather. Results show water absorption reduces elastic properties, offering insights for durable bio-based material development.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Sustainable Product Development
Background:
- Traditional leather production poses environmental and ethical challenges.
- Mycelium-based materials are emerging as sustainable bio-based alternatives to animal leather.
- Understanding material response to environmental factors like humidity is crucial for product durability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of humidity on the water sorption and elastic properties of mycelium-based leather.
- To provide data essential for developing durable and competitive sustainable leather products.
- To correlate changes in mechanical properties with water absorption levels.
Main Methods:
- Water sorption isotherms were measured on mycelium-based leather samples.
- Ultrasonic pulse transmission was used to determine wave speed at various humidity levels.
- Uniaxial tensile tests were conducted under ambient and immersed conditions to assess elastic moduli.
Main Results:
- A general reduction in elastic moduli was observed with increasing water absorption and immersion.
- Changes in the longitudinal modulus indicated significant alterations in material elasticity due to water sorption.
- Irreversible variations in the longitudinal modulus during initial water sorption suggest influence from the production process and additives.
Conclusions:
- Humidity significantly affects the elastic properties of mycelium-based leather, reducing its stiffness.
- The observed irreversible changes highlight the importance of material processing and formulation for performance.
- These findings are vital for material scientists engineering next-generation sustainable leather alternatives.
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