Scientists at Ohio State University have achieved a groundbreaking development by transforming ordinary shiitake mushrooms into living computer components, known as memristors. These innovative devices leverage mycelium—the threadlike root networks of fungi—to create circuits capable of storing and processing information much like traditional semiconductor chips. Remarkably, these fungal memristors mimic the way neurons in the human brain function, managing electrical signals while consuming minimal power.
The research involved cultivating shiitake mycelium in petri dishes, allowing the fungal networks to grow into dense mats. Once matured, the mycelium was dried and integrated into custom electronic circuits. When electrical currents were applied, the mushroom-based components demonstrated the ability to switch between different electrical states thousands of times per second with high accuracy, showcasing performance comparable to silicon-based memory devices.
Unlike conventional computer chips that rely on rare minerals and energy-intensive manufacturing, these bio-based circuits are low-cost, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. Their neural-like functionality potentially paves the way for a new generation of brain-inspired, energy-efficient computing devices that combine sustainability with innovation.
Lead researcher John LaRocco explained that such fungal memristors offer significant computational and economic benefits since they require little power during operation and standby. The mushrooms’ mycelial networks are self-organizing, flexible, and scalable, offering exciting possibilities for future bioelectronics and neuromorphic computing technologies.
This breakthrough highlights an emerging field blending biology and technology, with fungi providing novel materials for sustainable computing solutions poised to transform the electronics industry.
