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Growth and Mechanical Characterization of Mycelium-Based Composites Towards Future Bioremediation and Food Production in the Material Manufacturing Cycle

Summary

This research explores how mushroom-based materials could revolutionize sustainable construction while helping clean up environmental pollution. Scientists grew two types of mushrooms on agricultural waste to create building materials, testing different ways to process them for optimal strength and durability. The study shows how we might create eco-friendly building materials that serve multiple purposes. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to more sustainable and biodegradable building materials – Offers a way to reduce construction waste and agricultural byproducts – Demonstrates potential for cleaning up contaminated sites while producing useful materials – Shows possibility of growing both building materials and edible mushrooms simultaneously – Could help reduce carbon emissions from construction industry

Background

Today’s architectural and agricultural practices negatively impact the planet through carbon emissions, waste generation, and environmental contamination. The building industry and its energy-intensive material manufacturing processes were responsible for 37% of global carbon emissions in 2020. Mycelium-based composites are being researched as sustainable building materials that can upcycle organic byproducts.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze the growth process and test the mechanical behavior of composite materials grown from fungal species used in bioremediation. The research evaluated how substrate particle size, fungal species selection, and post-growth treatment affected the mechanical properties of mycelium-based materials.

Results

The density of the material positively correlated with its Young’s and elastic moduli, showing higher moduli for composites made from substrate with micro-particles and for compacted composites. Compacted then baked composites grown on substrate with micro-particles provided the highest elastic moduli in compression and flexural testing. Young’s moduli ranged from 0.15 MPa to 4.55 MPa for compression tests. The presence of micro-particles increased density by 30% and compressive Young’s modulus by 156%. Material compaction increased density by 48% and compressive Young’s modulus by 511%.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that substrate particle size, compaction, and post-growth treatments significantly influence the mechanical properties of mycelium-based materials. The research provides valuable insight for selecting optimal growth parameters based on intended applications in material manufacturing, food production, and bioremediation. The findings support the potential for integrating mycelium-based materials into a circular model combining waste upcycling, bioremediation, and sustainable material production.
  • Published in:Biomimetics,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.3390/biomimetics7030103
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