TY - JOUR
T1 - Mycomerge: Fabrication of Mycelium-Based Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites on a Rattan Framework
AU - Thi Nguyen, Mai
AU - Solueva, Daniela
AU - Spyridonos, Evgenia
AU - Dahy, Hanaa
PY - 2022/4
Y1 - 2022/4
N2 - There is an essential need for a change in the way we build our physical environment. To prevent our ecosystems from collapsing, raising awareness of already available bio-based materials is vital. Mycelium, a living fungal organism, has the potential to replace conventional materials, having the ability to act as a binding agent of various natural fibers, such as hemp, flax, or other agricultural waste products. This study aims to showcase mycelium’s load-bearing capacities when reinforced with bio-based materials and specifically natural fibers, in an alternative merging design approach. Counteracting the usual fabrication techniques, the proposed design method aims to guide mycelium’s growth on a natural rattan framework that serves as a supportive structure for the mycelium substrate and its fiber reinforcement. The rattan skeleton is integrated into the finished composite product, where both components merge, forming a fully biodegradable unit. Using digital form-finding tools, the geometry of a compressive structure is computed. The occurring multi-layer biobased component can support a load beyond 20 times its own weight. An initial physical prototype in furniture scale is realized. Further applications in architectural scale are studied and proposed.
AB - There is an essential need for a change in the way we build our physical environment. To prevent our ecosystems from collapsing, raising awareness of already available bio-based materials is vital. Mycelium, a living fungal organism, has the potential to replace conventional materials, having the ability to act as a binding agent of various natural fibers, such as hemp, flax, or other agricultural waste products. This study aims to showcase mycelium’s load-bearing capacities when reinforced with bio-based materials and specifically natural fibers, in an alternative merging design approach. Counteracting the usual fabrication techniques, the proposed design method aims to guide mycelium’s growth on a natural rattan framework that serves as a supportive structure for the mycelium substrate and its fiber reinforcement. The rattan skeleton is integrated into the finished composite product, where both components merge, forming a fully biodegradable unit. Using digital form-finding tools, the geometry of a compressive structure is computed. The occurring multi-layer biobased component can support a load beyond 20 times its own weight. An initial physical prototype in furniture scale is realized. Further applications in architectural scale are studied and proposed.
KW - NFRP
KW - bio-based materials
KW - growing materials
KW - lightweight structure
KW - mycelium
KW - mycelium-based composites
KW - natural fiber reinforced polymers
KW - rattan
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2313-7673/7/2/42
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128992857&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/biomimetics7020042
DO - 10.3390/biomimetics7020042
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 35466259
VL - 7
JO - Biomimetics
JF - Biomimetics
IS - 2
M1 - 42
ER -