M004 → Myco Research | Open Resource

We see mycelium as a new range of Materials.

Mycelium fibrous and polymeric properties can replace toxic materials in applications from construction to packaging to fashion.

Here you can find some interesting aspects of my research and how I have grown mycelium and mushrooms.

This project started as my thesis for my Master’s in Design through New Materials at Elisava University of Design and Engineering of Barcelona from September 2023 to June 2024. The thesis reached the final round of decisions and was among the top 5 projects for Lenzing’s Young Scientist Award 2024 in the “Fashion and Circular Economy” category.

HOW TO GROW

It is possible to grow with minimal space. The first place I grew mycelium was an unused storage space in my apartment in Barcelona. All you need to grow mycelium is a clean space, waste (substrate), airflow, and water. No energy is needed.

Environmental conditions like carbon dioxide, oxygen concentration, temperature, and humidity are the factors that most influence growth.

Inoculation:

(1) Sterilized substrates - Spent coffee grounds and sawdust and Grain Spawn Plerotus Osteratus Mycelium.
(2) Sterilized substrate - Synthetic textiles
(3) Sterilized space pre-inoculation, my bedroom in Bareclona.

Substrates:

A range of organic and inorganic substrates can be used to grow mycelium, creating a composite material (mycocomposite). We started by using sawdust (1), coffee (2/3), rice husks (4), coconut husk fibers, and textiles as solid substrates. The final material property heavily depends on the chosen substrate.

Cloning mycelium and bulking up production

The challenge: Contaminations

Contaminations are the biggest challenge faced when growing mycelium, as the environmental conditions are also suitable for the growth of other organisms in the fungal world, like mold, which contaminates the mycelium network.

Sterilization

Heat

Cold Pasteurization

SPECIES CATALOGUE:

Each species of Mushroom is different and has a different Mycelium.
Alike plants and animals, each species has their peculiarities, morphology, and preferred lifestyle.

AGROCYBE AEGERITA

Characteristics: Mycelium is not as robust, and does not produce a lot of aerial mycelium, not able to harvest pure MySkin.
Ease of Growth: Moderate
Time of Growth: 4 to 6 weeks
Substrates: Hardwood logs, sawdust, and straw.
Humidity: 85-95%
Temperature: 20-25°C

LENTINULA EDODES

Characteristics: Robust growth, ideal for composites, delicate Mycelium Skin, stronger than Pleterous Osteratus Skin, not able to harvest pure MySkin.
Ease of Growth: Moderate
Time of Growth: 1 to 2 months
Substrates: Hardwood logs, sawdust supplemented with bran.
Humidity: 85-90%
Temperature: 20-26°C

PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS

Characteristics: Fast and robust growth, ability to degrade a variety of substrates including plastics. Fragile but pliable Mycelium Skin.
Ease of Growth: Very easy
Time of Growth: 10 days - 2 weeks
Substrates: Straw, rice husks, sawdust, coffee grounds, textiles, plastic, most versatile in terms of substrate….
Humidity: 85-95% Temperature: 20-24°C

GANODERMA LUCIDUM

Characteristics: Strong mycelium network, ideal of Mycelium Skin.
Ease of Growth: Moderate to difficult
Characteristics: Strong mycelium network, ideal of Mycelium Skin
Substrates: Hardwood logs, sawdust, and rice husks.
Humidity: 85-90%
Temperature: 25-30°C

PLEUROTUS CITRINOPILEATUS

Characteristics: Robust growth, strong mycelium network, grows in clusters so not ideal for Mycelium Skin material. very strong and sticky. Removes and changes substrate colors - especially, textiles with synthetic dyes. Especially interesting in regards to bioremediation and material development.
Ease of Growth: Moderate
Time of Growth: 2 to 4 weeks
Substrates: Straw, sawdust, coffee grounds, paper, and agricultural waste.
Humidity: 85-95%
Temperature: 20-24°C

RELATIONS RESEARCH

CONNECTION

The same block of colonized mycelium was divided in two. They were layered vertically and in between a ceramic plate and coffee caps were added to create a “tunnel of energy”. The mycelium digested the coffee inside the coffee caps and made its way vertically to join the other block. We did not re-mix the substrate, just added more waste (coffee caps).

GROWTH FORM

Mycelium grows in circles in the forest, fairy rings. We wanted to test the theory indoors, the ball contains rice husks/sawdust as substrate, and a rubber anti-slip mat with tiny holes held together with a rubber elastic band to create the circle.

SYNTHETIC TEXTILES

Pleurotus Ostreatus Mycelium growing through and digesting plastic.
Cotton Jeans as a substrate on the left and Synthetic Jeans on the right.
1- Mycelial growth after 1 week
2- Mycelial growth after 2 weeks

AIR

Mushrooms (Oyster) spout where airflow is directed. Here, the mushroom punched through the covid mask. They can punch through plastic and inorganic materials, creating specific enzymes to digest them and reach oxygen.

WATER

Mycelium floats. This happens because chitin, the main component of the mycelial cell wall, is hydrophobic.