Mycelium-boundMycelium-bound composites compositesComposite (MBCs) are grown by fungi onto waste lignocellulosic substrate and hence hold significant potential as sustainable materials. However, their wide range of adoption is limited by their typically low strength. Low strength in MBCs is due to the root-like networks of hyphae. The mycelium filaments loosely bind the organic structure, resulting in a porous and lightweight material that lacks the rigidity required for structural applications. This study develops a new method to fabricate MBCs. We use additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing to fabricate porous triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) scaffolds from wood-Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) material. The porous TPMS structure provides a higher surface area and a continuous supply of nutrition and oxygen for mycelium development. Mycelium from Ganoderma lucidum is grown on porous structures for 21 days. This study considers two types of TPMS structures: gyroid (G) and inverted wrapped package (IWP). The resultant MBCs showed exceptional strength of 14 MPa, comparable to clay bricks. A comparison between porous structure with and without mycelium showed a 1.27 times improvement in peak strength for the G structure and 1.30 times for the IWP structure at 50% relative density. Mycelium growth depends on the relative density of the organic porous structure, with a maximum mycelium density on 10% and a minimum on 50% porous structure, respectively. Furthermore, results showed mycelium growth is dependent on the design of the porous structure, which opens an avenue for advanced and engineered MBCs.

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Exceptional Strength of Mycelium-Bound Composite: A Sustainable Brick Alternative for Construction

  • Deepak Sharma,
  • Hortense Le Ferrand

摘要

Mycelium-boundMycelium-bound composites compositesComposite (MBCs) are grown by fungi onto waste lignocellulosic substrate and hence hold significant potential as sustainable materials. However, their wide range of adoption is limited by their typically low strength. Low strength in MBCs is due to the root-like networks of hyphae. The mycelium filaments loosely bind the organic structure, resulting in a porous and lightweight material that lacks the rigidity required for structural applications. This study develops a new method to fabricate MBCs. We use additive manufacturingAdditive manufacturing to fabricate porous triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) scaffolds from wood-Poly Lactic Acid (PLA) material. The porous TPMS structure provides a higher surface area and a continuous supply of nutrition and oxygen for mycelium development. Mycelium from Ganoderma lucidum is grown on porous structures for 21 days. This study considers two types of TPMS structures: gyroid (G) and inverted wrapped package (IWP). The resultant MBCs showed exceptional strength of 14 MPa, comparable to clay bricks. A comparison between porous structure with and without mycelium showed a 1.27 times improvement in peak strength for the G structure and 1.30 times for the IWP structure at 50% relative density. Mycelium growth depends on the relative density of the organic porous structure, with a maximum mycelium density on 10% and a minimum on 50% porous structure, respectively. Furthermore, results showed mycelium growth is dependent on the design of the porous structure, which opens an avenue for advanced and engineered MBCs.