Plasticized mycelium composite and method
A method of making a plasticized mycelium structure, including dissolving a soluble polymer in a liquid thereby forming a polymer solution of polymer particles. The polymer solution is combined with a fungal inoculum capable of growing hyphae in the presence of an aggregate. The resulting mixture is allowed to grow into a mycelium network. The mycelium network is made up of hyphae which bond with the polymer particles found in the polymer solution forming a structure substantially made up of mycelium that has a plasticizer homogenously distributed throughout the structure. The structure is cured to terminate mycelium growth.
1. A method of making a mycelium structure, comprising:
dissolving a soluble plastic film having insoluble polymer particles in a liquid to form a solution of polymer particles;
combining the solution of polymer particles with a fungal inoculum and a nutrient source for the inoculum to form a mixture;
growing a live mycelium network that bonds with the polymer particles to form a plasticized structure; and
terminating growth.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of combining the solution of polymer particles with a fungal inoculum further comprises:
a fungal inoculum selected from the group consisting of Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus eryngii, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus ostreatus var, columbines, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma oregonense, Lentinula edodes, Agrocybe aegerita , or Coprinus Comatus.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of combining the solution of polymer particles with a fungal inoculum and a nutrient source further comprises:
providing a nutrient source including a fibrous material from a plant to feed the fungal inoculum.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of providing a nutrient source including a fibrous material from a plant further comprises:
providing a fibrous material selected from the group consisting of coconut, rice, corn, and cotton.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of combining the solution of polymer particles with a fungal inoculum and a nutrient source further comprises:
providing a nutrient source having lignin.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of terminating growth further comprises:
heating the structure to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient period of time to terminate growth.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the step of heating the structure to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient period of time to terminate growth further comprises:
heating the structure to a temperature of at least 150 degrees Fahrenheit for at least one day.
8. A vehicle part comprising:
a body portion
comprising the mycelium structure produced by the method of claim 1 .