Mycelium Bridge Behavior for Sustainable, Architected Biocomposites

There is growing interest in the design of sustainable materials based on mycelium, the root network of fungi, due to its robust, interconnected growth and its degradable end of life. Our work aims to understand the fundamental interactions between mycelium, substrate materials, and void spaces, which can inform the design of complex and functional mycelium composites. In particular, here we investigate the ability of mycelium to bridge gaps of empty space within a waste-derived bio-composite material and observe the effects of varying nutritional content. The bio-composite substrate is suitable for 3D printing, which enables the creation of an array of complex forms. Understanding the formation and strength of mycelial bridges supports the future design of mycelium composite materials for self-healing, bio-welding, directed growth, and sustainable structure applications.