Self-Repairing Clothes Made of Fungus Could be The Future of Fashion

Plus: NASA aims to beam back HD footage by laser from its Artemis II Moon mission Sponsored by Last year, I read a fascinating book by Merlin Sheldrake called [Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures](. It explores the many ways fungi affect our lives and environment. Mycofabrication, or the potential use of fungi to one day build materials that can replace cardboard, leather, plastic, and some textiles was covered briefly. Now a team of researchers has made a breakthrough that brings possibility of mycofabricated clothing closer. More on that intriguing development later. But first, here’s [your video of the day](. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is The Blueprint. Let's get going. Yesterday, Blueprint subscribers learned about a nanodevice designed to fight pancreatic cancer. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [John Deere's innovative 9RX series tractors]( [John Deere's innovative 9RX series tractors]( The John Deere 9RX tractor is an excellent choice for those in need of a versatile machine that can handle a wide range of tasks, with a perfect combination of power, enhanced by cutting-edge technology. MUST READ [The Future of Fashion]( [The Future of Fashion: Self-Repairing Clothes Made of Fungus?]( Imagine never having to replace or even repair your favorite clothes. Thanks to a recent breakthrough, that dream may not be so far-fetched. Researchers from Newcastle University and Northumbria University in the UK found that the root-like threads produced by many fungi have the potential to be used as a biodegradable, wearable material that's also able to repair itself. The researchers focused on the Ganoderma lucidum fungus, with which they produced a skin from branching filaments known as hyphae, which weave together into a structure called a mycelium. The results are currently too thin and delicate to be turned into a garment, but they are confident that future innovations could turn it into a tougher skin. Tests on the material showed that it was able to repair holes in itself under the right conditions. The material was as strong as before, though it was possible to see where the holes had been. This breakthrough has the potential to change the way we think about clothing and the materials we use to create it. With the rise of sustainable fashion, the use of this biodegradable and self-repairing material could be the future of the industry. [Read More]( INNOVATION NASA aims to beam HD footage back from its Artemis II Moon mission Prepare for stunning footage from the Artemis II mission, which will send astronauts around the Moon ahead of the Artemis III Moon landing mission. NASA will test a new laser data transmission technology that could completely alter how the space agency communicates with spacecraft, allowing it to send larger amounts of data than would be possible using radio signals, including high-definition video from the Moon. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Puncube]( [Love working on a sofa or a bed? Here’s how you can do it the right way!]( Imagine the number of times you’ve gotten bored and switched your work desk for a more comfortable seating position on a bed or a sofa. We’ve all done that, haven’t we? But then, there’s always that age-old problem of the laptop sliding down your legs whether you’re sitting upright or against a pillow. Here’s how the Puncube 3-in-1 desk can help! The first of its kind made especially for A4-sized laptops, this laptop desk comes with two angle stands that provide the perfect elevation and an elastic anti-slip surface that prevents the laptops from sliding down. Strong and easy to clean, it’s a must-have travel companion if you’re working on the go. Learn more to know how the [Puncube 3-in-1 Desk]( can be your ticket to great comfort without compromising on your posture! [LEARN MORE]( TRANSPORTATION Now you can summon autonomous EV chargers to your parking space The robot charging service offered by Autev is basically a large intelligent battery pack on wheels. The service can be summoned through an app and the bot will autonomously make its way to the desired location. When the robot arrives, the user needs to plug in their vehicle and finish their work. Once the charging is done and is unplugged by the user, the robot trundles off to a dedicated location inside a parking area where it is plugged in to top up its own batteries. [Read More]( SCIENCE Scientists disagree with NASA on the future of the New Horizons mission NASA's New Horizons mission is in limbo as the space agency and scientists debate the future of the mission. In their recent proposal, the New Horizons science team proposed ambitious plans to extend the mission by three years, allowing for a range of different science operations. However, NASA only approved it for two years. It opted to fund New Horizons through the fiscal year of 2024 before having the mission compete in a separate review for the fiscal year of 2025 and beyond, which would probably not include the planetary missions the scientists back. [Read More]( MAIL & MUSINGS Do you think we should make more use of fungi in everyday life? [Yes, big potential]( [Not convinced]( [There are easier ways to do things]( [Fungi will rule the Earth]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday's poll revealed 38% do not ever want to use a brain-computer interface, but 45% of you are ready now or will be in future. 38% I will never be assimilated 29% Maybe one day 17% This is what my smartphone does 15% Yes, sign me up QUOTE OF THE DAY You can be an expert in mushrooms in a week. You can be an expert in mycology in 10 years. But you can’t be an expert in fungi in a lifetime. 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