The Technology
Fibrous network of mycelium – the vegetative part of fungi – is employed to produce sustainable alternatives for synthetic foams. Clear correlation between fungi, substrate, mold properties, and incubation conditions on final material characteristics, is used to control material density, water absorbency, and the compressive strength of the final bio-composite. Integrating cellulose nano fibers (CNF) within the fungal cell-wall is a genuine method, used to inherently reinforce the mycelium and modify its natural properties such as strength, and improve water absorbance and hydrophobicity performance, compared to pure CNF sheets. Mycelium presence reduces the existing production time of CNF sheets.
Our technology is a novel method, not done before, that produces a homogeneous, uniform bio-nano-composite material, that can be readily integrated into existing industrial paper processing systems without synthetic chemical additives. Enhancing mycelium properties with nano-cellulose creates new bio-degradable raw materials that can replace synthetic materials in many applications.
Advantages
- Biodegradable
- Biocompatible
- Fabrication process to adjust and control final material properties
Applications and Opportunities
- Single use utensils for food
- Packaging materials
- Nutritional vegan substance for food/bio-based scaffold for engineered meat
- Hygienic products and diapers
Business Development Contacts