Mycellium composites for sustainable construction materials in developing countries

Mycelium-based composites (or mycelium composites) are a class of novel sustainable materials based on organic agricultural and agro-industrial wastes bound by a fungal mycelial network. They are gaining increasing attention due to their biocompatible and biodegradable nature, and tuneable properties which are dependent on the fungal strain and growth medium characteristics. Mycelium composites are produced by fungal decomposition of organic materials and, thus, are cost- and energy-efficient, and can add new value to organic waste streams. Therefore, they have become an attractive alternative material with potential for use in the construction industry. Additionally, the use of mycelium composites could substantially reverse carbon emissions and reduce the global carbon footprint of this industry. Currently, mycelium composites are only used for packaging and in non-structural applications due to the typically low strength, stiffness, and foam-like characteristics [1]. This has been attributed to the high content of weak non-structural compounds (e.g. glucans and proteins) and the random orientation of fungal hyphae in the mycelium network which minimises the mycelium-substrate bonding interfaces.
The aim of this project is to investigate the potential use of mycelium composites in load-bearing applications. The project will particularly focus on optimising the structure of the mycelium network using some of the structure modification strategies used in engineered woods such as the "SuperWood". SuperWood, a high-performance structural engineered wood, is made by partial-delignification of natural wood followed by densification [3], [4]. The enhanced properties of engineered woods are favoured by the structural anisotropy of natural wood as a result of the high directionality of the cellulose fibrils at different scales. However, mycelium networks are characterised by randomly oriented filaments (hyphae). The project will investigate orientation and densification approaches to enhance crystallinity, inter-fibrillar bonding, and the structural performance index of mycelium composites. Such composites could be used in Africa and other developing countries to support their efforts towards sustainable development. Africa, for example, is richly endowed with natural reserves; however, high processing costs poses a limitation to local production. Meanwhile, the exponential population growth has resulted in mounting food demands and increasing crop output, leading to the high generation of agricultural by-products and wastes. Thus, a huge potential for sustainable materials based on organic wastes. Mycelium-based composites as a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative could improve the SDG index of these countries, supporting the SDG 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (i.e., "Leave No One Behind (LNOB)") [5].

References

[1] M. Jones, A. Mautner, S. Luenco, A. Bismarck, and S. John, "Engineered Mycelium Composite Construction Materials from Fungal Biorefineries: A Critical Review," Mater Des, vol. 187, p. 108397, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108397.

[2] M. R. Islam, G. Tudryn, R. Bucinell, L. Schadler, and R. C. Picu, "Morphology and Mechanics of Fungal Mycelium," Sci Rep, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1-12, 2017, doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-13295-2.

[3] J. Song et al., "Processing Bulk Natural Wood Into a High-Performance Structural Material," Nature, vol. 554, pp. 224-228, 2018, doi: 10.1038/nature25476.

[4] C. Chen et al., "Structure-Property-Function Relationships of Natural and Engineered Wood," Nature Reviews Materials, vol. 5, no. 9. Nature Research, pp. 642-666, Sep. 01, 2020. doi: 10.1038/s41578-020-0195-z.

[5] UNSDG, "Principle Two: Leave No One Behind," https://unsdg.un.org/2030-agenda/universal-values/leave-no-one-behind, 2022.

There are seven principal groups of beneficiaries for our new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Composites Science, Engineering, and Manufacturing.

1. Collaborating companies and organisations, who will gain privileged access to the unique concentration of research training and skills available within the CDT, through active participation in doctoral research projects. In the Centre we will explore innovative ideas, in conjunction with industrial partners, international partners, and other associated groups (CLF, Catapults). Showcase events, such as our annual conference, will offer opportunities to a much broader spectrum of potentially collaborating companies and other organisations. The supporting companies will benefit from cross-sector learning opportunities and

- specific innovations within their sponsored project that make a significant impact on the company;
- increased collaboration with academia;
- the development of blue-skies and long-term research at a lowered risk.

2. Early-stage investors, who will gain access to commercial opportunities that have been validated through proof-of-concept, through our NCC-led technology pull-through programme.

3. Academics within Bristol, across a diverse range of disciplines, and at other universities associated with Bristol through the Manufacturing Hub, will benefit from collaborative research and exploitation opportunities in our CDT. International visits made possible by the Centre will undoubtedly lead to a wider spectrum of research training and exploitation collaborations.

4. Research students will establish their reputations as part of the CDT. Training and experiences within the Centre will increase their awareness of wider and contextually important issues, such as IP identification, commercialisation opportunities, and engagement with the public.

5. Students at the partner universities (SFI - Limerick) and other institutions, who will benefit from the collaborative training environment through the technologically relevant feedback from commercial stakeholder organisations.

6. The University of Bristol will enhance their international profile in composites. In addition to the immediate gains such as high quality academic publications and conference presentations during the course of the Centre, the University gains from the collaboration with industry that will continue long after the participants graduate. This is shown by the

a) Follow-on research activities in related areas.
b) Willingness of past graduates to:

i) Act as advocates for the CDT through our alumni association;
ii) Participate in the Advisory Board of our proposed CDT;
iii) Act as mentors to current doctoral students.

7. Citizens of the UK. We have identified key fields in composites science, engineering and manufacturing technology which are of current strategic importance to the country and will demonstrate the route by which these fields will impact our lives. Our current CDTs have shown considerable impact on industry (e.g. Rolls Royce). Our proposed centre will continue to give this benefit. We have built activities into the CDT programme to develop wider competences of the students in:

a) Communication - presentations, videos, journal paper, workshops;
b) Exploitation - business plans and exploitation routes for research;
c) Public Understanding - science ambassador, schools events, website.