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Mycelium-Based Composite Graded Materials: Assessing the Effects of Time and Substrate Mixture on Mechanical Properties

Summary

This research explores using mushroom root (mycelium) combined with agricultural waste to create sustainable building materials. The study tested how different mixtures of sawdust and straw, along with growing time, affect the strength of these bio-based materials. The findings show promise for developing environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional construction materials. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials – Helps reduce construction waste and environmental impact – Creates value from agricultural waste products – Offers biodegradable materials that won’t contribute to landfills – Could lead to more affordable and environmentally responsible construction

Background

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry consumes half of the mineral resources and contributes significantly to landfill waste. There is a growing need for alternative construction materials and greener energy resources to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Mycelium-based composites (MBC) offer a biodegradable, lightweight, and regenerative material solution that can be produced using waste as initial ingredients and become reusable or compostable at the end of their lifecycles.

Objective

To study the effects of three different MBC cultivation parameters on compressive strength: substrate mixture type (combining particle-based and fibrous materials), total cultivation time, and partial cultivation time in bags and formworks. The research aims to define different grades of MBC to address various functions and test how substrate mixture and cultivation time affect mechanical behavior.

Results

Treatments with only sawdust content showed the best mechanical behavior, while mixtures with 1:1 sawdust to straw ratio showed the weakest performance. Longer growth times resulted in decreased compressive strength across all substrate mixtures. Extended cultivation time in formworks yielded better mechanical performance than longer cultivation in bags. Digital Image Correlation revealed that sawdust-rich mixtures exhibited toughness behavior while straw-rich mixtures showed hardness characteristics.

Conclusion

MBC offers lightweight, graded, and biodegradable alternatives to conventional building materials. The research demonstrated the possibility of cultivating a gradient of compressive materials with varying mechanical properties based on substrate composition and cultivation parameters. Materials with higher sawdust content are better suited for load-bearing applications, while straw-based mixtures are more appropriate for compressive structural systems working through form.
  • Published in:Biomimetics,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/biomimetics7020048
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