Mycelium, the new sustainable construction material

Fungi are everywhere and have been changing the course of life for thousands of years. Today one of its parts, the root, has become an interesting resource for the restoration of the planet, the mycelium, the new sustainable construction material.

Much of today’s technology seeks ways to solve contamination problems, and “microfabrication” is one of the options with the greatest potential as a resistant and bio-contributing biomaterial.

What is the mycelium?

The mycelium is everything that makes up the root of the fungi, the non-visible part of these, located under the ground. They are called hyphae, multicellular filaments that are fast growing and function as a neural network underground, to help the fungus in its reproduction, nutrition and development. Its growth form is like that of branches, it does so in many directions and with a complex structure, but it can be condensed in a single space and on any type of surface without stopping to grow, which allows a suitable hard material to be formed. to be used in manufacturing and construction.

What is microfabrication?

While biotechnology relies on microorganisms to accelerate the decomposition of materials such as plastic with micromediation, micromanufacturing is responsible for replacing all construction materials that cause consequences to our ecosystem. That is, microfabrication is responsible for building construction materials and tissue based on fungi, specifically the mycelium, the set of roots of these. In today’s market there are already various micromaterials, such as plastic, fabrics and leather. This biomaterial offers salvation for our planet.

How is mycelium used as a bio-contributing building material?

According to research carried out by the Ecovative company in the United States, the mycelium can cohere any soft material in which it can reproduce. That is, they are capable of filling the hollow spaces where their hyphae are introduced, as glue would do. In this way, a resistant material is obtained, such as a compact brick, which can be used in different ways, as a substitute for plastic, raw material for the manufacture of fabrics and leathers or insulation material and for construction, among others.

In addition to this, the materials made with mycelium are biodegradable and biocontributing. When they decompose they do so in nutrients that are useful for the soil and for the environment, unlike materials such as bricks made of clay, which for their elaboration, are also obtained as a result, many of the main factors of pollution today. It is expected that by substituting the construction materials that we currently use for architectural projects, we will achieve a future in which we spend less energy and resources to obtain, in the same way, the desired results, but with a completely friendly material.

Mycomaterials and mycotecture, bricks made with mycelium. How are they obtained?

Mushrooms are mostly known in the gastronomic world, the consumption of mushrooms, such as mushrooms, is common in international meals. But the possibilities of use are broader and its benefits can be used in areas outside of cooking and medicine, such as construction. These are some of the innovative and alternative discoveries for the use of mushrooms.

Dried mycelium has been shown to be a very strong material, stronger than concrete, capable of surviving fire, water and mold, making it a strong candidate as a building material.

Cultivating the mycelium in brick-shaped molds is the correct way to create a mycomaterial to be used in the area of ​​architecture, 100% organic and at the same time compostable. According to some solutions such as Bioclycler and Biohab, the bio-manufacturing process of mycelium bricks is healthier than those that involve the manufacture of other construction materials.

Fungus-based brick structures are high-performance and sustainable materials with which to assemble ecological walls and housing structures. These same solutions work to use organic waste together with the mycelium, and although it is known to be a slower process, it is a simpler one, since it only requires placing the root of the living fungus on a surface, in this case, the mold, so that it can grow to the desired shape. Subsequently, heat treatments would be done to stop the growth of the fungus and harden it.

The most interesting thing about the process is that the mycelium can be adapted to any shape. Therefore, depending on the mold chosen to make it, a complete, firm and resistant piece will be obtained.

NASA already uses mycelium to make sustainable buildings

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shown interest in mycotecture to build homes on Mars, due to the lack of resources and construction material on the red planet. Mushrooms have become part of the viable project for the construction of rooms on this planet and others. But how would they do it? For now, the agency has created a plan to send algae and fungal spores to the neighboring planet, so that together with the water found in the subsoil, algae production is stimulated so that, later, the fungus feed on it and grow until its roots can form a brick.

NASA, like many other government agencies and companies around the world, is committed to micro-manufacturing and micro-manufacturing to make homes that are friendly to the planet. Therefore, mycelium has become the new sustainable construction material with the greatest potential in the last decade. Not only with the idea of ​​creating future civilizations, but to improve life on earth.

Learn more about mycomaterials

The mycelium and the fungi kingdom in Mycel Bridge Mycel Bridge is the first Latin American digital agency focused on promoting Fungiculture in Spanish. Its objective is to educate people about the benefits and virtues of mushrooms for the planet and for entrepreneurs in the mushroom sector to learn how to raise their commercial brands to new levels.

If you would like to learn more about all things mushroom related, mycelium-based sustainability, mycoremediation and mycomaterials, as well as marketing for the fungi sector, follow the Instagram accounts @mycel_bridge and @bernalstrategy for more information.