Pigments provide strength: fungi

The hyphae of rock inhabiting fungi are strengthened and better able to grow in crevices due to melanin pigments.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

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Biomimetic Application Ideas

Extra-mechanical strength due to melanin pigmentation, microbial colonization of bare rock and sand, inhibiting desertification, pitting techniques for colonization, sun-irradiated vertical walls or roofs, biofouling of building surfaces.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"Melanin pigmentation of rock-inhabiting fungi confers extra-mechanical strength to the hyphae that are then better able to grow into crevices (Dornieden et al., 1997; Sterflinger and Krumbein, 1997)." (Gorbushina 2007:1619)

About the inspiring organism

Fungi
Fungi

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Extra-mechanical strength due to melanin pigmentation, microbial colonization of bare rock and sand, inhibiting desertification, pitting techniques for colonization, sun-irradiated vertical walls or roofs, biofouling of building surfaces.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Manufacturing, building, construction, mechanical engineering, nanotechnology, biofouling, environmental technology

Experts

Geomicrobiology Group
Anna Gorbushina
Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg

References

Gorbushina, A. A. 2007. Life on the rocks. Environmental Microbiology. 9(7): 1613-1631.

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Curator of this page

DanielaTudor
Occupation: Scientist (other)
Location: Toronto, Canada

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