mushroom catalysts for fuel cells

With my already heavy fascination with fungi, I am happy to find that yes, mushrooms may in fact save the world--after all, fungus was the first organism existing on this planet. A new enzyme extracted from a specific mushroom type could act as an essential catalyst in fuel cells reducing the use of polluting heavy metals in the future.

Scientists at Oxford University have uncovered a new variety of mushroom whose enzyme 'Laccase' could be used instead of heavy metals like platinum as a catalytic in fuel cells of the future. A prototype laccase fuel cell that is being designed will produce 400 milliamps for 2,500 hours-enough for your ipod.

Laccase (the mushroom enzyme) acts as a catalytic to speed up reactions on fuel cell electrodes. The Oxford chemists believe that current batteries could eventually be replaced by portable power sources from laccase-coated electrodes.

Batteries currently produce 200,000 tons of unrecycled waste each year— much of it consisting of heavy metals.


via Cleantechnica

organic biodegradable mushroom insulation

Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre's Greensulate is made from agricultural waste products like buckwheat or rice hulls combined with mycelium--mushroom fibers. The composite is grown, then dried and heat treated in convection ovens. The company is trying to develop solar ovens to reduce energy usage. Greensulate, entirely petroleum free, will be available to customers in late 2010. Read more information about their product on their website Ecovative Design.