additive manufacturing

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

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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.

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

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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.

Challenges and Opportunities in Scaling up Architectural Applications of Mycelium-Based Materials with Digital Fabrication

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Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, can be grown with agricultural waste to create building materials that are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. While these materials show promise for insulation and non-structural uses, scaling them up for large buildings faces challenges including lower strength compared to traditional materials and lack of standardized production methods. The paper reviews various fabrication techniques and existing projects to suggest how digital design and advanced manufacturing could help overcome these barriers.

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

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Researchers have developed a novel method to make mushroom-based materials stronger by coating them with biodegradable plastics using 3D printing technology. This approach combines fungal mycelium from Fomes fomentarius with eco-friendly polymers to create composites that are significantly stronger than plain mycelium while remaining fully compostable. The resulting materials could be used for flexible devices, interior design, and other applications where both strength and environmental sustainability are important.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Fungal Innovations—Advancing Sustainable Materials, Genetics, and Applications for Industry

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Fungi can be engineered to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials for construction, textiles, and packaging. Using advanced genetic tools and controlled growing conditions, scientists can customize fungal materials to have specific properties like flexibility or rigidity. These mycelium-based materials are biodegradable, renewable, and offer promising alternatives to traditional synthetic and conventional materials, helping reduce our dependence on petroleum-based products.

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

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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.

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

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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.

Fungal Innovations—Advancing Sustainable Materials, Genetics, and Applications for Industry

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Fungi can be engineered to create sustainable, eco-friendly materials that could replace traditional plastics and leather. Scientists are using advanced genetic tools to control how fungi grow and what they produce, enabling the creation of customized materials with specific properties. These fungal-based materials are biodegradable, require less water and energy to produce, and show promise for applications in packaging, clothing, and building materials. With improved manufacturing processes and genetic engineering, fungi could revolutionize how we make everyday products.

Research Topic: additive manufacturing