Method of making foamed mycelium structure
A method of making a molded part, including forming a liquid aggregate from a mixture of finely ground aggregate and a fluid. A mixture of a fungal inoculum and the liquid aggregate is formed. Nanoparticles are homogenously distributed throughout the mixture. The mixture is inserted into a mold cavity. Live mycelium is grown to fill the mold cavity. The live mycelium is heated to terminate further growth and develop a formed part.
1. A method of making a foamed mycelium structure, comprising:
providing a fungal inoculum having a fungus capable of growing hyphae;
adding the fungal inoculum to a liquid and a nutrient source for the inoculum to form a slurry;
placing the slurry in a reaction vessel having an agitation device;
agitating the slurry in the presence of at least one select gas to create gas bubbles in the slurry;
allowing the fungus to grow a live mycelium network through and around the gas bubbles; and
terminating growth.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a fungal inoculum having a fungus capable of growing hyphae further comprises:
providing 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 adding the fungal inoculum to a liquid and a nutrient source for the inoculum further comprises:
providing a nutrient source including a fibrous material from a plant.
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 from a plant selected from the group consisting of coconut, rice, corn, and cotton.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of adding the fungal inoculum to a liquid and a nutrient source further comprises:
providing a nutrient source having lignin.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the slurry in a reaction vessel having an agitation device further comprises:
providing a reaction vessel wherein the agitation device comprises a stirring mechanism.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the slurry in a reaction vessel having an agitation device further comprises:
providing a reaction vessel wherein the agitation device comprises an external pump adapted to pump at least one select gas into the slurry.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of placing the slurry in a reaction vessel having an agitation device further comprises:
providing a reaction vessel wherein the agitation device comprises a spraying mechanism adapted to spray the slurry.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the select gas is a gas selected from the group consisting of pure oxygen gas, oxygen enriched gas and a gas containing free oxygen.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the select gas is diluted with an inert gas.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the inert gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
12. A foamed mycelium structure produced by the method of claim 1 .