Fungal Computing Tester Focus Sheet

Fungal Computing Tester Focus Sheet

Use this sheet to guide questions, experiments, and discussions when engaging labs or communities.

1. Fundamental Fungal Computing Concepts

  • How does mycelium transmit electrical signals?
  • Speed and reliability of mycelium “signal propagation”
  • Can mycelium act as a logic gate (AND, OR, NOT)?
  • Limitations of fungal computation vs. silicon electronics
  • How is memory or storage represented in fungal networks?
  • Differences between mycelium, spores, and fruiting bodies in computing potential
  • Effects of moisture, light, and temperature on computational ability

2. Experimental Setup / Testing

  • Types of electrodes or sensors used on mycelium
  • Recommended substrates (cardboard, agar, coffee grounds) for experiments
  • Optimal humidity and temperature ranges
  • Signal recording methods: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or other microcontrollers
  • Tools for measuring electrical impulses, voltages, or resistance
  • Methods to stimulate fungi to produce signals (light, vibration, sound)
  • Safety protocols for home or lab testing

3. Applications / Real-World Potential

  • Potential for biological sensors (humidity, pressure, vibration)
  • Use of fungal networks for pattern recognition or AI applications
  • Energy efficiency compared to silicon-based circuits
  • Use cases in architecture, robotics, environmental monitoring
  • Hybrid electronics-fungi systems in progress

4. Research & Collaboration Opportunities

  • Remote volunteer programs for testing experiments
  • Distributed testing networks for home participants
  • Participation in data collection or experiments by non-academics
  • Student or citizen-science programs for fungal computing
  • Upcoming conferences, webinars, or workshops

5. Data Collection & Analysis

  • Key metrics tracked in experiments
  • Recording electrical activity: voltage spikes, frequency, signal patterns
  • Preferred data formats for sharing results
  • Software tools for analyzing fungal signals (free/open-source)
  • Machine learning or simulation platforms for testing signals digitally

6. Fungal Species & Biology

  • Species best for electrical conductivity
  • Growth rate vs. signal reliability trade-offs
  • Impact of age or size of mycelium on computing performance
  • Role of spores in signal propagation or long-term storage
  • Genetic modifications or treatments to enhance conductivity

7. Technical Challenges / Limitations

  • Scaling fungal computers
  • Longevity of mycelium as a living circuit
  • Minimizing interference from environmental factors
  • Accuracy and repeatability of outputs
  • Methods for cleaning, resetting, or reusing circuits

8. Hands-On Experiment Ideas

  • Build simple AND/OR logic gates using mycelium patches
  • Test signal response to light, sound, and vibration
  • Compare different substrates and record conductivity
  • Track signal patterns over time to observe memory-like behavior
  • Test hybrid systems: fungus + Arduino/Raspberry Pi + sensors

9. Broader Implications

  • Environmental sustainability vs. silicon electronics
  • Potential role in space technology (low power, self-healing)
  • Integration with architecture and living buildings
  • Future commercial applications and market readiness
  • Ethical considerations of using living organisms as computers
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