Instead of disposing of this biomass waste, the team processes it into a plastic-like material through an innovative process involving molding and air-drying, resulting in a small, approximately 0.5 cm thick plate with a density of 1.23 g/cm³, comparable to the density of conventional printed circuit boards (PCBs). Using direct ink writing or a standard etching process and manual soldering, the researchers were able to deposit electronic components directly onto the fungal plates.

  • HerbGrower@slrpnk.net
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    2 days ago

    PLA looks and feels like any other plastic. Pretty sure it lasts a very long time if you were to drop it on the floor of a forest and that is an ideal location for biodegrading.

    Got a cheap 3D ages ago which is why I looked it up. Don’t really use it much though, said I would buy a better one if I use it but only used it like 3 times in a few years now.

    • hex_m_hell@slrpnk.net
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      2 days ago

      IIRC, PLA just doesn’t biodegrade unless it’s exposed to high temperature. It’s “biodegradable” but only under specific conditions.