Mechanical Characterization of Mycelium Composites Based on Hemp
Tennessee State University, a member of the Environmentally Responsible Transportation Center for Communities of Concern (ERTC3) consortium led by the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is studying the mechanical properties of mycelium composites.
The mycelium-based materials have been mainly produced from mushroom-forming fungi, which are known for their ability to colonize large areas in nature. Mycelium composite materials rely on the metabolism of the fungus to form cementing products (mycelium) that can bond a substrate material, which is typically a waste material. These composites grow by decomposing lignin and absorbing elements such as carbon and nitrogen. Mycelium grows gradually and forms a mycelial network that intertwines and binds the substrate to form a polymer.