construction – mycolab.ai

Potential environmental impact of mycelium composites on African communities

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Scientists studied how mushroom-based building blocks made from agricultural waste affect the environment in Africa. They found these eco-friendly materials can be better for the planet than concrete if produced with renewable energy like solar power or firewood. The biggest environmental cost comes from the energy used in growing and drying the mushroom composites, so using cleaner energy sources could make them much more sustainable.

BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork

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Researchers developed a new type of injectable mycelium paste combined with knitted fabric formwork to create lightweight, sustainable building materials. The BioKnit prototype demonstrates that this approach can produce large, complex structures like an arched dome using fungal material instead of traditional construction materials. The textile framework dramatically strengthens the mycelium composite while keeping the material environmentally friendly and relatively easy to produce.

Temporal characterization of biocycles of mycelium-bound composites made from bamboo and Pleurotus ostreatus for indoor usage

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Scientists created a sustainable building material by growing oyster mushroom fungus on bamboo fibers. The material was strong enough for packaging and could be composted after use to enrich soil, completing a full cycle in about 7 months. By adding a natural beeswax coating, the material lasted longer while remaining completely biodegradable. This proof-of-concept demonstrates how fungal materials could replace synthetic plastics in a circular economy.

What Inspires Biomimicry in Construction? Patterns, Trends, and Applications

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Nature has already solved many design problems that architects and engineers struggle with today. This research examines how 70 recent studies have borrowed ideas from organisms like termites, coral reefs, and lotus plants to create better buildings. The study finds that most biomimetic applications focus on improving function and structure—like using termite mound ventilation principles for energy-efficient buildings—but there’s huge potential in learning from how nature heals itself and adapts in real-time.

A Comprehensive Review on Studying and Developing Guidelines to Standardize the Inspection of Properties and Production Methods for Mycelium-Bound Composites in Bio-Based Building Material Applications

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This review examines mycelium-based composites, which are innovative building materials made from fungal networks grown on agricultural waste. These eco-friendly materials are biodegradable and use less energy to produce than traditional construction materials. The authors analyze current testing methods and propose standardized production guidelines to ensure consistent quality, helping make these sustainable materials more reliable for widespread use in buildings and construction.

Mycelium-Based Composites: Surveying Their Acceptance by Professional Architects

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Researchers surveyed 50 professional architects and interior designers about their views on building materials made from mycelium (the root network of fungi). While most weren’t familiar with these materials, 90% found them visually appealing after seeing examples. Interestingly, architects were more willing to use mycelium in projects for clients than in their own homes, suggesting some personal concerns about the material. Thermally processed mycelium was preferred over its natural appearance.

Development and Characterization of Mycelium-Based Composite Using Agro-Industrial Waste and Ganoderma lucidum as Insulating Material

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Researchers developed an eco-friendly insulation material using mushroom mycelium (Ganoderma lucidum) combined with waste plant materials from Colombia: Arboloco pith and grass clippings. The resulting material is lightweight, thermally efficient, and comparable to commercial insulators like expanded polystyrene. However, the material shrinks significantly and absorbs water when exposed to moisture, so additional treatments are needed before it can be widely used in buildings.

3D printed gyroid scaffolds enabling strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites for greener infrastructures

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Scientists developed a new eco-friendly building material by growing mushroom mycelium on specially designed 3D-printed scaffolds made from wood and plant-based plastic. These mycelium bricks are stronger, better insulators, and more fire-resistant than traditional bricks or foam insulation, while being completely biodegradable. This breakthrough could help reduce the construction industry’s massive carbon footprint and provide a sustainable alternative to harmful conventional building materials.

3D printed gyroid scaffolds enabling strong and thermally insulating mycelium-bound composites for greener infrastructures

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Scientists developed a new eco-friendly building material made from mushroom mycelium grown on 3D-printed scaffolds. This material is as strong as traditional bricks, provides excellent insulation like foam, resists fire better than conventional materials, and is completely compostable. The innovation could help reduce carbon emissions from construction by replacing harmful petroleum-based and energy-intensive traditional building materials.

Research Keyword: construction