mushmade: exploring the potentials of mycelium

mushmade exploring the potentials of mycelium Caitlin Paridy

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design & material

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the plant

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the problem

the proposal

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tents

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the results

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the research

conclusion

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the “plant�

Fungus is its own classification of organisms due to its unique ability to grow without chlorophyll.

Instead they absorb nutrients through an enzymatic process.

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fungi life cycle

Primordial growth forms

Spores are produced

Spores join to hyphae

Hyphae connect to become mycelium

Fig. 4 Fungal Life Cycle Diagram

Mycelium is the key to the organisms survival.

It forms a root like structure while spreading out in search of new nutrients. Thanks to this, fungi are the powerhouse of the carbon cycle, decomposing natural matter and purifying soils.

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the pro

After WW2, the lack of n people to search for som durable, man made and l came about a century a fuels to p

Fig. 1 Peter Stackpole, Throw Away Living

Fig. 2 Rich Carey, Plastic Ocean

In our oceans there might be somewhere between 5.3 million to 14 million tons of plastic affecting hundreds of species. Estimates for the rate of decomposition range from 450 years to never.

1950

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oblem

natural resources pushed mething else; something long lasting. The solution ago by converting fossil plastics.

Global plastic production by industry in million tons time in use

Other 52 million tons 5 years Building&Construction 73 million tons 35 years

Transportation 30 million tons 13 years Electrical 19 million tons 8 years Textiles 65 million tons 5 years

Consumer products 40 million tons 3 years

Packaging 161 million tons > 6 months

Total 448 million tons 2015

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Fig. 3 National Geographic, A Lifetime of Plastic

mushmade

the pro

To reduce the amount of global production system to use mycelium as a bio

I therefore explored the work with mycelium to obje

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oposal

f waste and energy in the m, I believe the solution is odegadable alternative.

e best way to grow and o develop composable ects.

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the res

Investigating biomat

Fig. 4 David Benjamin, Hy-Fi, MoMA’s Psi Courtyard

The exploration of the biomaterials has been a recent innovation. It has resulted in many designers experimenting with mycelium as a substitute to nonbiodegadable materials.

Fig. 5 Ecovative, Mycelium p

When combined w waste material an conditions, mycel grown into a vast and forms.

Fig. 6 Jonas Edvard Nielson, MYX lamp

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search

terials and mycelium.

The limited formal knowledge about growing mycelium has created an environment of “do it yourself�. Here designers combine knowledge with mycologists creating unique experiments building on previous ventures.

Fig. 7 Sean Campbell, Mycelia Material Bionomics

products.

Fig. 8 Parshan Fatehi, Engaging Mycelium

with the proper nd growing lium can be t array of shapes

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the supplies To get started, these are the basic materials that one would need. Through trial and error I discovered which worked best for me.

Material

Mushroom block filled wit hardwood sawdust. This combined with other natu substrates to make mor blocks.

Mushroom Block: Blue Oys (Pleurotus ostreatus) an Reishi (Ganoderma lucidu

Substrate: straw, bird see hardwood saw dust pelle

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design & material

Sanitation Critical to any mycelium growing process. Everything must be sanitized. Double, triple times for luck.

Rubbing alcohol (70%), latex gloves, paper towels

Molds Containers that can hold the shape of the mycelium and can be sanitized properly.

th is ural re

Types: glass bowels, wood forms wrapped in plastic, custom silicone molds

ster nd m)

ed, ets

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the growing chamber This creates a sanitized and consistent environment, helping to produce a higher quality of mycelium material.

Conditions Temperature: 20°C Humidity: 80%

Components i) plastic cover ii) wood frame iii) metal rack iv) hot air humidifier

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i

ii

iii

iv

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material Step One: Sanitizing & Pasteurizing

Step Two: Mixing

Alcohol 70%

Spray all containers, bowls, surfaces, hands with alcohol

In sanitized bowl combine pasteurized substrate with mushroom block

Place substrate in boiling water (170°C) for an hour

Combine thoroughly for cohesive growth and set aside to develop.

Let cool and drain water

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l testing Step Three: Setting

Step Four: Baking & Evaluating

Ensure mold is sanitized prior to setting. Use clean gloves to handle everything.

Once you have achieved your desired coating, remove from the mold and place in the oven at 200°F for about an hour.

Press the material tightly into form. Cover and place in the proper environmental conditions.

Remove and assess the item!

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material Sample One: Mushroom & Straw

Sample Two: Mushroom & Wood

Included

Included

Shredded and pasteurized straw combined with oyster mushroom block.

Shredded and pasteurized wood strips with oyster mushroom mycelium.

Takeaway

Takeaway

Resulting texture was grainy and porous. Some strength when pressed, but fragile overall.

Substrate was too large and mycelium could not fill in the gaps. Some minor growth on the top, but not enough nutrients for entire sample to take on growth.

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l testing Sample Three: Mushroom & Saw Dust

Sample Four: Mushroom & Seed

Included

Included

Resaturated hardwood pellets and oyster mushroom block.

Pasteurized bird seed with oyster mushroom block.

Takeaway

Takeaway

Most cohesive growth.

Quickest growing time due to increased nutrition. Strong to touch and no residue from sample.

Increased growth over entire sample. Durable when pressed. Essentially no residue.

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mold deve

The other half of the mycelium where to put the material. A m and sanitized. It must be flexib and adaptable to

A) I started mixing and matching simple recycled cartons and materials, producing different shapes and items.

B) I progressed to glass bowls for a tighter surface.

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elopment

m development revolves around old must be able to be washed ble enough to pop out material, o different items.

C) The final mold experiment involved producing my own customizable silicone molds.

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work in p

Producing th

Growing my own mycelium.

Bowl with oyster mushroom and saw dust.

A “clean ro further red

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progress:

he mycelium.

Experimenting with agar as another means of growing mycelium.

oom� helped me to duce contaminates.

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work in p

Producing th

Main breakthrough came with the use of reishi mushroom instead of oyster. The filaments of this species are denser and more cohesive.

Working in larger batches was the easiest way to avoid added contamination to the mycelium block and increase productivity.

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progress:

he products.

Discovery that silicone molds and tight compaction were the key to cohesive growth and dense coating.

Samples and molds in growing chamber.

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the “final

Through various iterations and e understand and succe

In the end I successfully prod holders, bowls, and a series o

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l� results

experiments I have managed to ssfully grow mycelium.

duced a clock, a lamp, plant of endangered species toys.

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conclusion After 6 months of mycelium development there were certain practices that worked better than others. In the end however, I believe that mycelium and biomaterials have the potential to radically alter our impact on the planet. It is solid, water proof, customizable, and 100% compostable.

Here’s to mushrooms!

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mycelium tips 1) Mycelium filaments that are tighter and denser create a more cohesive surface. I found reishi mushrooms and tight compaction worked well for me.

2) Finer substrate is key as well. Hard wood saw dust pellets can easily be rehydrated and added to the mycelium. The extra handful of pasturized bird seed increases growth as well.

3) Silicone and compacting the material tightly further increases the chances of a solid surface.

4) There is never enough sanitation that can take place.

5) The thicker the object the longer it needs to be in the oven to fully “kill� the mycelium.

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bibliog Figure 1:Stackpole, Peter, “Waste Living.” Life Picture Collection. July 13, 2019. https://time. com/3879873/throwaway-living-when-tossingit-all-was-all-the-rage/ Figure 2: Carey, Rich. “Plastic Ocean.”

Shutterstock. May 15, 2019. https://www.nrdc. org/stories/10-ways-reduce-plastic-pollution Figure 3: Adapted from graphic by Treat, Jason, and Williams, Ryan, “A Lifetime of Plastic.” National Geographic Magazine. July 13th, 2019. https://www.nationalgeographic. com/magazine/2018/06/plastic-planet-wastepollution-trash-crisis/ Figure 4: Benjamin, David. “ Hy-Fi MoMA’s Psi Courtyard,” Archdaily, May 14, 2019. https:// www.archdaily.com/521266/hy-fi-the-organicmushroom-brick-tower-opens-at-moma-sps1-courtyard

design & material

graphy Figure 5: Ecovative. “Mycelium Products,” Ecovative Design, May 14th, 2019. https://grow. bio/blogs/press-releases/makershed-comwebstore-to-the-maker-community-nowfeatures-ecovative-s-giy-grow-it-yourselfmushroom-material-kits Figure 6: Nielson Edvard, Jonas. “MYX Lamp,” Designboom, May 14th, 2019. https://www. designboom.com/design/jonas-edvard-myxlamps-mushroom-mycelium-09-02-2014/ Figure 7: Campbell, Sean. “Mycelia Material Bionomics.” University of Stuttgart Masters Thesis (2016/2017): 73, figure 64.

Figure 8: Fatehi, Parshan. “Engaging Mycelium.” University of Waterloo Masters Thesis (2018): 88, figure 93.

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