Overview
Working with fungi, this project proposes an accessible, versatile biomaterial protocol. It utilizes local waste streams to grow functional mycelium-bound structures, biomaterials, prototypes and final products. An experimental, small scale, carbon-negative system is modeled using monotubs, grow-tents and bio-printing methods. The materials’ performance and usability are evaluated through mechanical testing, surveys and workshops. This work was presented at Autodesk Research and featured on Designboom Magazine.
TEAM
Arvind Bhallamudi (Advisors: Tom Weiss, Dr. Andreas Mershin, Jennifer Bissonnette)
MY ROLE: Principal Investigator
This work spun out of my Master's thesis at the Rhode Island School of Design, in collaboration with the Industrial Design Department, Nature Lab, CoWorks Interdisciplinary Lab, and Brown Design Workshop; and supported by the Somerson Sustainability Innovation Fund.
KEY SKILLS
Growing Materials from Waste & Fungi
MYCOTYPE MATERIALS | 2022-2024
CHALLENGES
The Global Waste Scenario
The world generates 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste annually, with at least one-third of that not managed in an environmentally safe manner (World Bank). By 2050, scientists predict more plastic will be in the ocean than fish, including micro-plastics that threaten marine life and contaminate human food and water. E-waste, largely composed of plastic, are also among the fastest-growing waste streams.
Food waste is another significant issue, with a third of food produced globally per year - 1.3 billion tons going to waste. The construction sector, reliant on concrete and metals, also contributes heavily to resource extraction and pollution. There is a pressing need for innovative solutions that can divert and transform inevitable waste streams while providing true value to the ecology and the community.
RESEARCH
Learning Fungi's Role in Nature
Nature has long provided elegant solutions to resource management and waste disposal, presenting valuable lessons for addressing the issues of the material domain identified in the previous section. A natural process that could solve our waste problems is that of mycelium, the underground network of fungi. Mycelium plays a critical role in decomposition, breaking down complex organic materials into simpler compounds used by plants and other organisms. It is made of threadlike structures called hyphae, and holds great potential for transforming waste into useful materials.
STRATEGY
Working at the Intersection of Science & Design
For most scientists, the preferred research mode is one with fundamental questions, systematic experimentation, and repeatable results. The scientific revolution of discovering fundamental elements and processes found in biology, chemistry, and physics has been instrumental in creating a foundation of knowledge in universal systems. It has completely formed the society we live in today.
On the other hand, many designers focus on applying scientific, technological, and cultural data to creative and functional ideas and interventions. In working with biological materials such as mycelium, we need to incorporate both scientific and design research methods and adopt an interdisciplinary approach to biomaterials. following protocols, documenting results and iterating.
DESIGNS
Material Experimentation, Design and Characterization
Replacing foam with mycelium-based composites at RISD required addressing challenges in traditional mycelium molding processes. By understanding pain points, substrate selection, mold design, preparation, and growth conditions were specifically improved to establish a new material system that overcomes limitations. This resulted in a formulation using locally sourced saw dust and coffee grounds with mycelium from the Ganoderma lucidum mushroom.
The tests and workshops with students from different departments proved that pre-grown mycelium materials could offer an alternate approach to growing mycelium from scratch, which can otherwise be time-consuming, expensive and challenging. The benefit of myco-materials is their versatility to conform and break down, their low-fidelity nature that enables creativity and sustainability, and their inherent qualities of waste transformation and biological circularity.
Despite the limitations, such as in sanding, handling screws and inserts, and certain processes like laser cutting being inappropriate due to the material’s charring nature, with denser and more rigid mycelium materials as the next step, compressed composites or ‘myco-sheets’ could hold promise to address some of these concerns.
​
Mechanical testing evaluates mycelium materials’ specifications for safety and resistence to failure in various contexts, ensuring the final product meets the required performance criteria. By understanding these, we can determine the suitability of mycelium materials for applications in consumer goods, construction, packaging, textiles, or others. Three key mechanical properties selected for characterizing mycelium; compressive strength, water absorption, and density.
There is an equal focus on performative, affective, interpretive, and sensory aspects. From a design perspective, the experiential scope will help better understand perception, behaviors, emotions and usability of the material. After initial testing, a workshop survey at RISD Grad Exchange in April 2023 was organized to share this project and gain valuable insights through feedback from students.
The survey compared two versions of mycelium samples: uncompressed (myco-sheets) and compressed (myco-sheets). It drew participation from 40 graduate students representing various departments and providing diverse perspectives. The participants’ responses indicated a significant interest among students in further exploring the materials.
​
Mycelium, as a material, possesses inherent qualities that set it apart from conventional materials. Its behavior, reactions, and transformative properties demand a distinct mindset and approach to cultivation that requires meticulous care. Current methods of mycelium growth encompass a range of techniques, including mono-tubs, grow-tents, and additive manufacturing such as 3D bio-printing. Each method offers unique advantages and considerations. Mono-tubs and grow tents provide compact or scalable solutions for mycelium cultivation in controlled environments. These methods typically involve creating a space where the mycelium substrate and growth medium can thrive.
The advantage of these setups lies in their flexibility and adaptability to different project scales, from small-scale experimentation to larger production runs. Cultivators can create optimal conditions for mycelium growth and maximize the yield of high-quality materials by controlling temperature, humidity, and light exposure. On the other hand, 3D bio-printing offers advanced capabilities for precise material deposition and complex geometric structures. These technologies enable the fabrication of intricate designs with intricate internal structures, opening up possibilities for customized products with tailored material properties. However, such methods often require specialized equipment and expertise, making them more suitable for research institutions and innovation settings.
​
Four types of products are conceptualized and grown using the conceived formulations and molding processes: 1) breathable planter, 2) modular furniture set, 3) lampshade with motion detection, and 4) furniture repair with mycelium paste. These concepts add to the range of possibilities along with pre-grown myco-materials, allowing more complex forms using CAD, 3D printed molds and custom processes to improve their structural integrity, durability, and surface finish.
62% of the participants expressed their interest for material testing and prototyping and requested samples of custom composites. This enthusiastic response is a testament to the growing demand and fascination surrounding mycelium materials.
Material Design
Material Characterization
Process Design
Product Applications
IMPACT
Creating a Platform for Biomaterial Utilization
The experiments, objects and processes from this study were shared with the design community through two exhibitions, the book 'Fungi in Flux' and a series of talks and workshops for students, educators and professionals who are looking toward sustainable and circular materials in their work.
