Canadian researchers develop eco-building materials

Scientists use sawdust and mushrooms as sustainable buiding materials 

Reasearchers at University of British Columbia (UBC)  installed six benches made from a combination of sawdust and mushrooms, reports University Affairs. The installation is a part of a project meant to honor the University's 100th anniversary.

ÔÇ£The bench is actually alive. At some point, it's possible that theyÔÇÖll produce a whole lot of edible oyster mushroom fruit ÔÇô like the [mushrooms] you can buy in the supermarket,ÔÇØ said Joe Dahmen, assistant professor of landscape architecture.

The material, a mycelium biocomposite, has similar properties to polystyrene, being lightweight, reasonably strong, and having a high thermal resistance while, unlike polystyrene, it is also biodegradable.

ÔÇ£You can imagine some of the suggested possibilities of some of these more natural materials,ÔÇØ added Mr. Dahmen.