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Extrusion-based additive manufacturing of fungal-based composite materials using the tinder fungus Fomes fomentarius

Summary

Scientists have developed a way to 3D print objects using mushroom mycelium (the thread-like structure of fungi) mixed with seaweed-derived alginate. These lightweight, spongy printed objects are biodegradable and have properties similar to polystyrene foam, but are made from renewable resources. This breakthrough could eventually replace plastic foam in packaging and other applications with an eco-friendly fungal alternative.

Background

Fungal mycelium is a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based materials with low density and production cost. Fomes fomentarius (tinder fungus) is a white-rot fungus that can metabolize lignocellulosic substrates and has potential applications in various material science fields. Current research focuses on developing new technologies to produce customized fungal-based materials.

Objective

To develop an extrusion-based additive manufacturing (3D printing) method using inactive pure mycelium from F. fomentarius combined with alginate biopolymer. Goals included developing a printable mycelium-biopolymer paste, fabricating complex 3D objects, and optimizing process parameters for printing quality.

Results

Stable pastes containing 71 wt.% mycelium with alginate and water were successfully developed and used to print complex shapes up to 39 mm in height. Printed objects demonstrated low bulk densities (0.12 ± 0.01 g/cm³) with interconnected macropores, comparable mechanical properties to expanded polystyrene, and water stability after calcium crosslinking. Freeze-drying and crosslinking processes successfully stabilized printed structures.

Conclusion

This work demonstrates the first application of F. fomentarius mycelium for extrusion-based additive manufacturing of lightweight 3D objects. The process yields stable, porous, and biodegradable fungal-based materials that could replace expanded polystyrene from fossil resources, with potential applications in packaging, construction, and design.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1186/s40694-021-00129-0, PMID: 34933689
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