Mechanics of Mushroom as a material

We recently characterized a unique material developed from root structure (Mycelium) of mushroom. Mycelium has a filamentous network structure with mechanics largely controlled by filament elasticity and branching, and network density. We report the morphological and mechanical characterization of mycelium. The monotonic mechanical behavior of the mycelium is non-linear both in tension and compression. The material exhibits considerable strain hardening before rupture under tension, it mimics the open cell foam behavior under compression and exhibits hysteresis and the Mullins effect when subjected to cyclic loading.

link : https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-13295-2