Gary Said Podcast

Let's imagine that in the near future, as AI-augmented glasses mature and become ubiquitous. I'm wearing a pair of glasses that offer augmented reality, AI natural language processing, and the equivalent of "swipe to pay." I not only see maps ... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit garysaid.substack.com

There seems to be quite a lot of experimentation with mushrooms taking place. No, not that kind! I am referring to fungi as components for electronics.A 2023 article titled “Propagation of electrical signals by fungi” investigates living fungal networks, which have properties of memristors and capacitors; the study evaluated how electrical signals propagate through mycelium composites, enabling transmission in fungal electronics.A more recent 2024 article titled “Harnessing Fungi Signaling in Living Composites” explores fungal signaling networks, including biochemical and electrical pathways. It highlights innovative applications in biomaterials and potential memristive functionality in living fungal composites.Now, there’s a fascinating article written by Tatyana Woodall and published in the Ohio State University News, about a “living computer” that uses common edible mushrooms as organic memristors. Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by John LaRocco and Qudsia Tahmina, with support from the Honda Research Institute, have developed a groundbreaking “living computer” by transforming common edible mushrooms, especially shiitake, into working memory devices known as organic memristors. These fungal memory chips can switch between electrical states at up to 5,850 times per second with approximately 90% accuracy. Though far short of high-speed memory chips, they still fit within a suitable range for many applications.How It WorksSo here is how this is done: Researchers dehydrate, wire, and electrically stimulate mushrooms, using various fungal characteristics for the needed electrical properties. When connected in series, these mushrooms demonstrate consistent memristor behavior, retaining memory of previous electrical signals.Thanks for reading Gary Said! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.SustainabilityIn contrast to traditional computer chips, which require complicated manufacturing processes and use rare earth metals, mushrooms are simple. They are cultivated, harvested, and processed in a sustainable way. They are biodegradable, non-toxic, and eco-friendly…and tasty 😋.Neuromorphic and Edge ComputingFungal memristors are particularly suited for neuromorphic computing, a system that replicates the brain's synaptic activity. They hold potential for applications in edge computing, aerospace sensors, wearable devices, and low-power adaptive technologies.Environmental ImpactThis approach significantly reduces electronic waste, presenting mushroom-based electronics as a potential alternative or, more likely, a complement to silicon in applications where energy efficiency and sustainability are important. Imitating neural activity helps lower standby power consumption, which may provide both economic and computational advantages.Thanks for reading Gary Said! This post is public, so feel free to share it.Scientific Reference Ohio State’s peer-reviewed study was published in PLOS ONE on October 9, 2025, and has been corroborated by coverage from ScienceDaily, IFLS, TechSpot, and The Debrief.Footnotes This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit garysaid.substack.com