Manufacturing Fungi Fabrics is what is believed to be the next evolution of clothing. The textiles industry is known to be the second largest contributor to pollution. Our product “Fungi Fabrics” uses eco-friendly materials that do not put our environment in danger. To create the fabric we are using mycelium which comes from the roots of mushrooms. By using a substrate to nourish the fungi it could help it grow in the desired mold and which then could be shaped and fixed if necessary. The substrate should have a smooth texture so the fungi does not intertwine with the substrate. The substrate must have enough sugars for the fabric to grow evenly throughout the product. When the fabric needs to be disposed of it can be thrown in soils or water without a problem and break down toxic waste and bacteria which will clean our land and benefit the environment.
ExploraVison National Science Competition Winners
1st place
2nd place
Michael Ibraham, Michael Fabbri, Melissa MacDonald and Tom Ryan (Toshiba), Declan Doran, Gabrielle DeCaupa, John Halloran (Coach)
Isolating and Producing Targeted Bacteriophages for the Eradication of African River Blindness
PhageFuture is a breakthrough bacteriophage treatment on the bleeding edge of modern medical technology. It is used to combat the widespread and debilitating disease Onchocerciasis, more well known as African river blindness. River blindness currently affects millions of people, being a major cause of blindness in low-income countries, with 99% of cases occurring in impoverished African communities. On the forefront of bacteriophage engineering, PhageFuture uses advanced genomics and manufacturing techniques to produce a reliable river blindness treatment at an affordable price. Through wide spread use of our treatment, river blindness can be eliminated from humans, leading to a future free of such an awful and damaging disease.