The proposed concept is to demonstrate an ideal bio-plastic by using mycelium as the polymer, resin or structural matrix. Preliminary studies have shown basidiomycete stipe tissue offers similar mechanical properties as thermo set, unreinforced polyurethane and balsawood. This renewable, compostable material usually grows in the form of a fruiting body, which is inappropriate to use at a commercial scale due to the long production lead times. This grant proposes to research a process allowing for the growth of vegetative mycelium tissue into any desired shape. First, sterile tissue or a suspension of cells would be grown, homogenized, strained and pressed or injected into the desired shape. This material would then be incubated in specific environmental conditions or supplemented with natural materials to induce the desired hyphal (cellular) structure pertaining to the final preferred mechanical properties. Then the material would be heated to inactivate growth, producing a grown, rapidly renewable (5–10 days) biopolymer.

 

The basic approach to this Phase I SBIR is to find the most viable fungal tissue morphology, the optimal growth conditions and supplements (with nutrition of chemical inducers), and potential post-processing techniques through extensive experimentation and statistical analysis. The unique and potentially transformative concept of directly mycological polymers can be found nowhere commercially or in the literature. Ecovative, an award-winning start-up company, will leverage its expertise and current intellectual property in mycelium-based materials during this undertaking. Mycelium polymers could fit a broad range of markets including: automotive, transportation, biomedical, sports and consumer goods. These materials are truly sustainable since the entire structure consists of renewable materials that require significantly less energy to make because the materials are grown, or self assembled, instead of synthesized. The outcome of the proposed research will be a basic understanding of the obtainable materials properties and how to adjust their properties for particular markets. If successful with the mycelium polymers, Ecovative will be able to enter a very high-volume manufacture market that sorely needs more sustainable innovations.

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