Mycelium composites – mycolab.ai

Fungi as source for new bio-based materials: a patent review

mycolabadmin

Researchers reviewed patents from 2009-2018 on using fungal mycelium to create eco-friendly materials. Instead of petroleum-based plastics, scientists grow fungi on agricultural waste like corn stalks and wood chips, where fungal threads bind the materials together into strong, biodegradable products. These fungal materials are being developed for packaging, car interiors, textiles, and insulation, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics.

Potential environmental impact of mycelium composites on African communities

mycolabadmin

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Mechanical properties of dense mycelium-bound composites under accelerated tropical weathering conditions

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed a sustainable alternative to traditional particleboard using mushroom mycelium (fungal root structure) grown on agricultural waste like sawdust and palm fruit remnants. When exposed to hot, humid tropical conditions for 35 days, the material’s strength decreased significantly, but applying a protective oil coating helped preserve tensile strength. The study shows that with improvements to manufacturing processes, these mushroom-based composites could replace harmful formaldehyde-based particleboards in indoor construction.

A review on architecture with fungal biomaterials: the desired and the feasible

mycolabadmin

This review examines how mushroom mycelium can be used as a sustainable building material to reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. Six notable architectural projects from 2014-2021 demonstrate different approaches to using mycelium-based blocks and panels for constructing pavilions and temporary structures. The research shows that while mycelium composites offer environmental benefits and exciting design possibilities, they typically need reinforcement with traditional materials and careful production control to be effective in larger structures.

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

mycolabadmin

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.

Upcycling end-of-life mattresses into sustainable insulation materials through development of mycelium based biocomposites

mycolabadmin

Scientists developed an innovative way to recycle old mattresses by growing fungus on shredded mattress waste, creating a new insulation material. The resulting biocomposite is extremely heat-resistant, remaining stable even at temperatures above 990°C, and has insulation properties comparable to commercial products. This approach converts waste mattresses into valuable building materials while promoting environmental sustainability through circular economy principles.

Mining logical circuits in fungi

mycolabadmin

Researchers successfully embedded computing circuits into living mushroom materials. By applying electrical signals to fungal mycelium composites, they discovered the fungi could perform complex logical operations similar to computer gates. This breakthrough suggests that future building materials made from fungi could incorporate computing capabilities, leading to intelligent, living structures that respond to their environment.

Multi-Organism Composites: Combined Growth Potential of Mycelium and Bacterial Cellulose

mycolabadmin

Scientists combined two biological materials—mycelium (fungal roots) and bacterial cellulose—to create new sustainable composites. Through a series of experiments, they found these organisms could grow together successfully when using knitted fabric as a scaffold. The main challenge was preventing mold contamination when both organisms were alive, but the resulting materials showed strong attachment and diverse functional possibilities. This research could lead to new eco-friendly materials for architecture and design.

Quantification of fungal biomass in mycelium composites made from diverse biogenic side streams

mycolabadmin

Researchers developed a new method to measure how much fungal growth occurs in mycelium-based composite materials, which are sustainable alternatives to plastic packaging and insulation. By analyzing fungal DNA, they tested 20 different combinations of three mushroom species with various waste materials from agriculture and food production. The results show that the amount of fungal growth needed for stable, usable materials varies significantly depending on which mushroom species is used and what waste material serves as the base.

Research Topic: Mycelium composites