Research Topic: 3D Printing

Effects of Incorporating Ionic Crosslinking on 3D Printing of Biomass–Fungi Composite Materials

Researchers developed an improved method for 3D printing with fungal composite materials made from agricultural waste and mushroom mycelium. By adding sodium alginate (a seaweed-derived thickener) and treating the printed objects with a calcium salt solution, they significantly improved the structural integrity and precision of the printed parts. This technique addresses a major challenge in the field where printed objects would shrink and warp after printing, making it possible to create complex shapes from sustainable, biodegradable materials.

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

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.

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Mycelium-Based Composites for Interior Architecture: Digital Fabrication of Acoustic Ceiling Components

Researchers developed acoustic ceiling tiles made from mycelium, the root-like part of mushrooms, grown in 3D-printed molds. These sustainable tiles reduce noise in interior spaces while using agricultural waste and requiring minimal energy to produce. The study shows that mycelium-based materials can effectively absorb sound similar to conventional acoustic panels while being completely biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

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Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

Researchers developed a new way to make fungal mushroom mats stronger by printing biodegradable plastic patterns onto them using 3D printing technology. The resulting composite materials combined the sustainability of fungal products with improved strength, making them suitable for flexible applications like smart textiles and lightweight parts. Both tested polymers (PHBH and PLA) enhanced the mycelium’s mechanical properties, with PLA showing superior strength improvements while PHBH offered home compostability.

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Mycelial Beehives of HIVEOPOLIS: Designing and Building Therapeutic Inner Nest Environments for Honeybees

Scientists created experimental beehives made from living mushroom mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms) combined with 3D-printed scaffolds. These hives are designed to keep bees warmer while providing natural antimicrobial compounds that protect them from diseases. The research combines digital design technology with biology to create homes that mimic the natural tree cavities where wild honeybees live, potentially making them healthier and more resilient to climate change and diseases.

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Binder Jetting 3D Printing of Biomass–Fungi Composite Materials: A Preliminary Experimental Study

Scientists have developed a new 3D printing method to create environmentally-friendly materials made from agricultural waste and fungi. Instead of using traditional plastic materials that take years to decompose, these biomass-fungi composites break down naturally. The new binder jetting printing process is faster and more precise than previous methods, making it more practical for manufacturing products like packaging, furniture, and building materials.

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Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers

Researchers have developed a new method to strengthen mushroom-based materials by using 3D printing to apply layers of plant-based plastics onto them. These reinforced materials have significantly improved strength while remaining fully biodegradable and compostable. This innovation makes fungal mycelium materials suitable for more demanding applications like flexible textiles and wearable electronics, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products.

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Impact of Fomes fomentarius growth on the mechanical properties of material extrusion additively manufactured PLA and PLA/Hemp biopolymers

This research explores how mushroom mycelium can be integrated with 3D-printed plastic materials to create sustainable biocomposites. Scientists tested whether Fomes fomentarius fungus growing on printed PLA and hemp-reinforced plastic specimens affected their strength and stiffness. Results showed that while pure PLA remained largely unaffected by mycelium growth, hemp-reinforced materials experienced some weakening, with effects depending on the duration of fungal colonization and the internal structure of the printed materials. These findings suggest potential applications in developing eco-friendly building materials and insulation products that combine the benefits of living organisms with manufactured polymers.

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

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.

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Binder Jetting 3D Printing of Biomass–Fungi Composite Materials: A Preliminary Experimental Study

Researchers developed a new 3D printing method called binder jetting to create eco-friendly materials made from agricultural waste and fungi. The fungi’s root-like structures naturally bind plant particles together, creating a biodegradable alternative to plastic. This method produces complex shapes with better precision than previous techniques and could revolutionize sustainable manufacturing for packaging and furniture.

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