Researchers at The Ohio State University have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery showing that fungal networks could provide a sustainable and bio-organic alternative to conventional microchips used in data processing and storage. Their work focuses on the unique electrical and structural properties of mushrooms, particularly shiitake and button species, which can be cultivated and trained to act as organic memristors—components capable of “remembering” past electrical states. This capability allows mushrooms to perform similar functions to semiconductor-based devices but with far less environmental impact.
The study’s lead author, John LaRocco, explains that these organic systems can emulate neural activity, offering the foundation for brain-inspired computing models. Unlike traditional silicon chips that require constant energy input, fungal-based processors can retain memory without continuous power, dramatically improving energy efficiency. This makes fungal networks particularly promising for the emerging field of bioelectronics—where living or organic materials are integrated into computing systems to enhance sustainability and reduce waste.
To test their potential, the research team grew samples of edible mushrooms, dehydrated them for stability, and connected them to specialized electronic circuits. By applying various voltages and frequencies, they observed how the mushrooms responded to electrical stimulation. Distinct parts of each mushroom exhibited different electrical properties, allowing researchers to map how signals traveled through the fungal tissue. When configured as random-access memory (RAM), these systems were able to switch between electrical states up to 5,850 times per second with roughly 90% accuracy. While performance declined at higher frequencies, this problem could be offset by connecting additional mushrooms—an approach that mirrors how neurons in biological brains operate collectively.
LaRocco notes that this natural mimicry of neural systems not only provides computational efficiency but also offers economic and environmental advantages. Traditional semiconductors depend on rare-earth minerals and energy-intensive manufacturing processes, contributing significantly to global electronic waste. In contrast, fungal networks are biodegradable, inexpensive to cultivate, and require minimal energy to function. This positions them as key candidates for next-generation eco-friendly computing systems that align with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of digital technologies.
Co-author Qudsia Tahmina emphasizes that mushrooms’ adaptability and resilience open exciting possibilities for scaling these systems. Larger fungal circuits might one day support edge computing and aerospace applications, while smaller configurations could enhance wearable devices and autonomous machines. The researchers envision a future where computing hardware could literally grow, repair itself, and decompose naturally when no longer needed—a radical departure from today’s disposable, resource-intensive electronics.
While fungal networks are still in early experimental stages, future research aims to optimize cultivation methods, improve data storage reliability, and miniaturize components to compete with silicon-based chips. The team believes these advancements could lead to a paradigm shift toward living, adaptive computing systems.
Ultimately, the study demonstrates how technology can evolve by drawing inspiration from nature. Fungal networks offer a glimpse into a future where biological and digital systems coexist, creating computers that are not only intelligent and efficient but also deeply sustainable.
https://phys.org/news/2025-10-mushrooms-memory-chips-future.html