Join us at ACADIA 2023 – Keynote Speaker & Workshop announcements
June 23, 2023
New publication: Built environment microbiomes transition from outdoor to human-associated communities after construction and commissioning
October 10, 2023
Congrats to our team for the new publication on 'BioKnit: development of mycelium paste for use with permanent textile formwork' by Romy Kaiser, Ben Bridgens, Elise Elsacker and Jane Scott.
The publication presents the development of Mycocrete, a mycelium based paste injectable within a 3D knitted textile formwork to create environmentally friendly construction. It was published in July 2023 in Frontiers, Bioengenerring and Biotechnology Journal, Section Biomaterials Volume 11, 2023.
The publication presents the development of Mycocrete, a mycelium based paste injectable within a 3D knitted textile formwork to create environmentally friendly construction. It was published in July 2023 in Frontiers, Bioengenerring and Biotechnology Journal, Section Biomaterials Volume 11, 2023.
The teams research on Mycocrete, a paste made with the root network of fungus called mycelium, as a building material is contributing towards more sustainable construction and fabrication methods. Injecting Mycocrete into a knitted textile formwork creates a composite material which is stronger and than previous biomaterials made of fungi. Using the knitted molds as a flexible formwork creates a more versatile composite in terms of shape and form, allowing to grow lightweight building material with low environmental impact.
The paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype. BioKnit employs knitted fabric as a scaffold to guide the growth of mycelium and form a bespoke composite. Uniquely, the knitted formwork enabled the 1.8m high, 2m diameter free-standing arched dome structure to be grown as a single piece on site in very slender, curved knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials.
Find out more about the Bioknit Prototype here.
The paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype. BioKnit employs knitted fabric as a scaffold to guide the growth of mycelium and form a bespoke composite. Uniquely, the knitted formwork enabled the 1.8m high, 2m diameter free-standing arched dome structure to be grown as a single piece on site in very slender, curved knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials.
Find out more about the Bioknit Prototype here.
The work received a lot of attention in science and science related media. Among others, the work was featured in internationally renowned science, bioengineering and engineering networks as:
Synbiobeta
E&T
Earth.com
CleanTechnica
Interesting Engineering
Intelligent Living
New Atlas
and Fast Company
Synbiobeta
E&T
Earth.com
CleanTechnica
Interesting Engineering
Intelligent Living
New Atlas
and Fast Company
Growing as construction allows us to rethink a lot of the conventional construction processes; to produce locally on site, to reduce transportation associated with shipping individual parts for assembly, and to develop sustainable practices. BioKnit is not intended to be an alternative to structural concrete, but has potential to replace other environmentally damaging materials such as plasterboard, and lightweight concrete blocks used as infill within a frame structure. Current applications of the Bioknit material could be in non-load bearing applications in buildings, for insulation and internal linings, however the ability to produce new geometries, curved surfaces and organic forms is very compelling for future interiors. The mechanical tests presented in the paper, are the first step towards loadbearing designs and structures, since the Mycocrete injection process and results allow to implement simulations for material performance and material-saving designs based on complex geometries.
ABSTRACT
This paper presents significant advances in mycelium biofabrication using permanent knitted textile formwork and a new substrate formulation to dramatically improve the mechanical properties of mycelium-textile biocomposites suitable for large-scale components for use in construction. The paper outlines the biofabrication process, detailing the composition of mycocrete, a viscous mycelium substrate developed for use with permanent knitted formwork, and the injection process required to regulate the filling of slender tubes of fabric with mycocrete. The use of a permanent integrated knitted formwork shows promise as a composite system for use with mycelium to improve mechanical performance and enable complex shapes to be fabricated for lightweight construction. Results of mechanical testing show dramatic improvements in tensile, compressive and flexural strength and stiffness compared to conventional mycelium composites. The testing demonstrates the importance of both the mycocrete paste recipe and the knitted textile formwork. In addition, the paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype: a 1.8 m high freestanding arched dome composed of very slender biohybrid knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials. The combination of textiles and mycelium present a compelling new class of textile biohybrid composite materials for new applications within the construction sector.
This paper presents significant advances in mycelium biofabrication using permanent knitted textile formwork and a new substrate formulation to dramatically improve the mechanical properties of mycelium-textile biocomposites suitable for large-scale components for use in construction. The paper outlines the biofabrication process, detailing the composition of mycocrete, a viscous mycelium substrate developed for use with permanent knitted formwork, and the injection process required to regulate the filling of slender tubes of fabric with mycocrete. The use of a permanent integrated knitted formwork shows promise as a composite system for use with mycelium to improve mechanical performance and enable complex shapes to be fabricated for lightweight construction. Results of mechanical testing show dramatic improvements in tensile, compressive and flexural strength and stiffness compared to conventional mycelium composites. The testing demonstrates the importance of both the mycocrete paste recipe and the knitted textile formwork. In addition, the paper highlights the advantages of the proposed biofabrication system with reference to the BioKnit prototype: a 1.8 m high freestanding arched dome composed of very slender biohybrid knit-mycelium tubes. This prototype demonstrates the opportunity to utilize the potential for lightweight construction and complex form offered by a textile formwork with low environmental impact mycelium biomaterials. The combination of textiles and mycelium present a compelling new class of textile biohybrid composite materials for new applications within the construction sector.
The Living Textile Research Group, led by Dr. Jane Scott is investigating how to use textiles to scale up biotechnology for the built environment and sees textiles as a critical scaling mechanism because of the excellent biocompatibility with microbial systems and potential to develop bespoke scaffolds that utilise the hierarchical structuring of textiles.
The Group has recently finished a follow up prototype, called The Living Room, which is a 4m diameter self-supporting structure, currently on display at the Farrell Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Here similar materials are used, but locally sourced based on local waste streams.
Parallel to the material developments, the Research Group is conducting research on the design possibilities in regards to increasing complexity of shapes or reactivating the growth of the material to integrate adaptable design processes into fabrication.
The Group has recently finished a follow up prototype, called The Living Room, which is a 4m diameter self-supporting structure, currently on display at the Farrell Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. Here similar materials are used, but locally sourced based on local waste streams.
Parallel to the material developments, the Research Group is conducting research on the design possibilities in regards to increasing complexity of shapes or reactivating the growth of the material to integrate adaptable design processes into fabrication.
