Abstract
Pure mycelium materials (PMM) present a sustainable and economically viable class of living engineered materials with broad potential in environmental and bioengineering applications. By controlling vertical growth under defined culture and environmental conditions, PMM can be directed to form gradient microporous structures along the growth axis. In our group, we focus on engineering and evaluating the mechanics and transport behavior of gradient mycelium structures. Harnessing the inherent hierarchical porosity of PMM provides high surface area and robust mechanical stability, we demonstrate the ability of mycelium-based membranes to remediate toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and persistent pollutants such as PFAS. This work positions PMM as a biodegradable alternative to synthetic membranes, addressing challenges in water purification and sustainable material design.
Bioblurb
Dr. Prathima Nalam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Design and Innovation at the University at Buffalo, where she directs the Nanomechanics and Interfacial Engineering Group. Her research focuses on developing sustainable environmental materials for water and soil remediation, as well as designing low–energy dissipation materials for tribology, by bridging fundamental molecular insights with translational applications. She received her Master’s and Doctor of Science in Materials Science from ETH Zurich, where she worked with Prof. Nicholas D. Spencer on the nanotribology of polymer brushes. She received the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) fellowship to pursue postdoctoral research at the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) on multiscale mechanics of soft Materials. Since joining UB in 2017, Dr. Nalam has established an interdisciplinary program that integrates nanomechanics, surface engineering, and sustainability to advance both environmental remediation technologies and energy-efficient interfacial systems.