Fungi could be the material that keeps your home fire-proof in the future

Just the other night while I was on vacation, a fire alarm went off in our hostel and I slightly panicked that we would meet our end in a small albeit picturesque corner of the world. It’s not something that anyone would want but with the way most buildings are structured, it’s also a very distinct possibility. But what if there was a flame-resistant and sustainable material that can prevent things like this from happening and what if that material is fungi?

Designer: RMIT University

A team from a Melbourne university has now been able to create material from the chemical composition of mycelium that is fire-retardant and can eventually be used for building insulation. Basically, you’re turning fungi into mycelium sheets that can be used for the building industry and even other industries like fashion. Not only is it fire-retardant but it is alos sustainable and also scalable to some extent.

They were able to produce this paper thin layer that can be put over flammable substrates and this was done through the process of bioengineering these fungi. The mycelium turns into char when exposed to intense heat or fire so this is something that can used for building insulation if you want to keep the structure fireproof. They will also be able to collaborate with the mushroom industry to help it become a bit more scalable.

There is also that added bonus of the fungi being safe not just for humans but also a good thing for the environment. Bioderived mycelium is plastic and toxins free band is also able to produce naturally occurring water and carbon dioxide. The researchers are now working on creating bioengineered fungal mats to boost the fire-safety ratings in buildings as they aim to be able to reduce flame intensity in a sustainable way.

The post Fungi could be the material that keeps your home fire-proof in the future first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vollebak’s new hoodie is fireproof, waterproof, and lasts a 100 years

Is it safe to assume that something that lasts 100 years is better than something that lasts a lifetime? If you buy a jacket in your thirties, a lifetime would mean anywhere between 50 to 70 more years, right? But if something has a 100-year guarantee, chances are it’s much more suited to last longer than YOUR lifetime, no?

Vollebak‘s been on a relentless mission to make the hardiest, most withstanding apparel on the planet. Pay their website a visit and you’re less likely to see apparel made of cotton or wool. Instead, you’ll see words like carbon-fiber, ceramics, graphene, and Kevlar being floated around.

Currently in its third iteration, the 100 Year Hoodie is perhaps one of Vollebak’s most advanced pieces of clothing ever. Made of three layers sandwiched together into a warm, comfortable, and breathable jacket, the final product takes nearly 40 weeks to manufacture from start to finish… a timeline that pales in comparison to the fact that the hoodie was designed to practically endure an apocalypse.

The third generation of the Vollebak 100 Year Hoodie comes with an engineered fleece inner for comfort, and a flame-retardant outer fabric with a wind-proof, waterproof membrane in between. You’d expect a fire-fighting jacket to be stiff, but the engineered fabric from Polartec is light, breathable, temperature-regulating, and stretchy. Its borderline magical physical properties aside, it’s actually a pretty comfy jacket for regular wear. The hoodie covers you up nicely in inclement weather, and you’ve got four large zippered pockets for your belongings too. Plus, it’s quite literally the last hoodie you’ll ever need to own.

Designer: Vollebak

Fireproof Skulls Will Spice Up Your Firepit

Nothing says “I’m your nice, warm, and welcoming neighbour” than a fire pit stacked with a bunch of fireproof skulls. If that’s the kind of image you want to project, these skulls will satisfy your every need. Made from “heat-tolerant ceramic and lava granules, layered over a steel structure”, each skull weighs 10lbs and costs a hefty $65, meaning that if you want to recreate something like what you see in the picture, you’ll have to spend at least $500. It’s a small price to pay to display this much flair, though.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ TheAwesomer ]

ioSafe Solo G3 Hard Drive: It’s So Rugged, It Might Outlast You

It’s always good to add some redundancy to your computer system. When a hard drive fails, it’s always problematic trying to restore lost data. It’s even worse when you are faced with a natural disaster, such as a fire, a flood – or the apocalypse. That’s why you need a hard drive that can outlive you. Well, probably not, but it’s good to have something virtually-indestructible, just in case.

iosafe solo g3 hard drive

The ioSafe Solo G3 Hard Drive is a rugged external USB 3.0 hard drive that’s both fireproof and waterproof. It can last at temperatures up to 1550˚F for 30 minutes and survive in water down to 10 feet for up to 72 hours. It’s compatible with Kensington locks and padlocks, and includes backup and encryption service. ioSafe’s Data Recovery Service is also included, and it provides one-time data and hardware recovery (valued at up to $2500) with no questions asked.

iosafe solo g3 hard drive fire water

The ioSafe Solo G3 is available for $299.99(USD) for 1TB of storage, $349.99 for 2TB, and $449.99 for 3TB.

[via Uncrate]