Chinese Scientists Create Living Fabric That Can Clean and Repair Itself

Researchers in China have developed a living textile made from fungal mycelium that can clean itself, renew its surface and partially repair holes when given nutrients and fresh fungus.

Developed by researchers at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, the material is an engineered living material, or ELM. Unlike conventional fungal materials that lose their biological activity during processing, the new textile keeps dormant Cordyceps militaris mycelium inside its structure. The research was published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.

After being dried at 45 degrees Celsius, the fungus enters what lead researcher Ke Li described as a low-metabolic, dormant-like state rather than becoming completely inactive.

Researchers can reactivate it by applying a nutrient solution made from potato water. The treatment causes the dormant mycelium to produce new fungal filaments, allowing the material to renew its surface.

For larger holes, researchers place fresh mycelium into the damaged area and add nutrients. New fungal growth then spreads across the gap, joining the damaged sections without adhesives or stitching.

The material also has natural self-cleaning properties. Its aerial mycelium creates a hydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of around 145 degrees, allowing dirty water droplets to roll off without leaving residue.

The researchers designed the material as a programmable platform that can gain additional properties by combining it with other organisms.

Engineered yeast can attach to the mycelium and produce colors including light blue, red, orange, and dark purple. Adding Aspergillus niger creates a melanin-rich fungal layer that increases UV absorption and antioxidant properties.

The team demonstrated the technology by creating a prototype dress from different fungal textile sections, including biologically colored and self-cleaning areas.

Li said the material’s texture, biological coloring, controlled repair and biodegradability could make it useful where appearance and a defined product lifespan matter.

However, the technology is still experimental. Researchers said durability, moisture resistance, safety and manufacturing consistency will need further improvement before it can be considered for everyday clothing or permanent architectural applications.

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