🍄 Mushrooms transformed into computer memory

The idea of a living organism replacing a silicon chip inevitably evokes science-fiction scenarios. However, a recent study reveals that fungal networks can exhibit electrical behaviors akin to memory, thus paving the way for new, energy-efficient computing architectures.

This work explores the potential of fungi as substitutes for conventional metal components. Endowed with natural resistance and unique biological properties, species such as shiitake are emerging as serious candidates for bioelectronics. This rapidly growing field precisely seeks to develop the materials for tomorrow's technologies.


Scientists at The Ohio State University cultivated and prepared edible mushrooms to behave as organic memristors. These electronic components retain the memory of previous electrical signals, much like the human brain. Their research, published in PLOS One, proves that such systems can achieve performance comparable to classical chips.

To test these memristors, the team used shiitake and button mushrooms. Once dehydrated to ensure stability, they were connected to electronic circuits and then electrically stimulated. The data obtained show that these fungal systems generate reproducible memory effects, with results similar to those of current technologies.

When used as live memory, these fungal memristors manage to change their electrical state at a frequency of 5.85 kHz, with an accuracy of approximately 90%. Like the brain, their capabilities can be increased by associating several mushrooms within the same circuit. This biomimetic approach also presents advantages in terms of energy consumption.

Another notable advantage of this avenue is its sustainable nature. Being biodegradable and easy to cultivate, mushrooms allow for a reduction in electronic waste and production costs compared to traditional materials that rely on rare minerals. This environmental perspective encourages the exploration of bio-compatible concepts.

This technology could find applications in various sectors, such as space exploration or wearable devices. The researchers now aim to optimize production by refining cultivation techniques and miniaturizing devices. Available resources already allow for the exploration of these possibilities at different scales.

What is a memristor?

A memristor is an electronic component that adjusts its resistance based on the electric current that has passed through it. It thus retains a memory state, even without a power supply, which distinguishes it from classical resistors, capacitors, and inductors. This property was formulated theoretically in the 1970s, but its practical realization is more recent.

Memristors are frequently compared to synapses in the human brain because they link magnetic flux to electric charge. This characteristic makes them valuable for creating non-volatile memory, which does not lose its data when powered off. They also form the basis of neuromorphic circuits, designed to mimic neuronal functioning.

In current technologies, memristors enable the integration of information processing and storage within a single component. This allows for a reduction in device size and energy savings, as data no longer needs to travel between different units.

Their development continues, with research on various materials, including biological ones. Organic memristors, such as those based on fungi, constitute a promising alternative to synthetic materials, offering benefits in terms of sustainability and cost.