| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Natural Fibers and Biocomposites: A Sustainable Solution
|
| Presentation Title |
Exceptional Strength of Mycelium-Bound Composite: A Sustainable Brick Alternative for Construction |
| Author(s) |
Deepak Sharma, Hortense Le Ferrand |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Deepak Sharma |
| Abstract Scope |
Due to bio-based sources, mycelium-based composites (MBCs) hold significant potential for a sustainable material choice; however, their wide range adoption is limited by their typically low strength. The current research has developed a new method for the MBCs fabrication. It uses a wood-PLA fabricated porous structure, followed by mycelium growth. The porous structure provides a higher surface area and a continuous supply of nutrition and oxygen for mycelium development. The resultant MBCs showed exceptional strength around 15 MPa, comparable to clay bricks. Comparison between with and without mycelium porous structure showed a 1.66 times improvement in peak strength and a 2 times increase in energy absorption at 50% porosity after mycelium inoculation. Furthermore, mycelium growth depends on the porous structure design, with a maximum mycelium density on 90% and a minimum on 50% porous structure. Current work opens an avenue for the advanced and engineered MBCs. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Biomaterials, Composites |