A new project funded by the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) Seed Grant is exploring the potential of mycelium-based composites (MBCs) as a sustainable solution for the built environment. Led by Britta Bielak, NCIDQ (Assistant Professor, College of Architecture and Environmental Design and co-founder of ) in collaboration with Sarah Eichler, PhD (Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences), Gus Holman (Graduate Student, Department of Biological Sciences), Michelle Bebber, PhD (Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology and Research Associate, Cleveland Museum of Natural History), and Metin Eren, PhD (Professor, Department of Anthropology and Research Associate, Cleveland Museum of Natural History), the project is focused on optimizing the cultivation and testing of mycelium-based materials, with an emphasis on reducing contamination and tuning the recipe to achieve a range of material properties for real-world applications.
Project Overview
Utilizing the patented technology developed by okom wrks labs, PBC for creating strong, rigid MBCs, the first goal of this innovative project is to cultivate mycelium autonomously and effectively, addressing one of the most significant challenges faced by researchers working with mycelium-based composites - contamination. By overseeing the entire process, from culturing through construction, the team aims to establish a reliable method for producing MBCs and investigate improving the formula that can be used in a variety of industries, especially in sustainable construction. The team’s research also aims to explore the possibility of using locally sourced agricultural waste products, such as hemp and sawdust, as substrates for mycelium growth, adding to the regenerative profile of this material solution for the construction.
A Multidisciplinary Approach
A hallmark of all ESDRI Seed Grant projects is being truly multidisciplinary. The team comprises experts from various fields, combining knowledge of fungal culturing, material science, design, plant-based organisms, and sustainability. Bielak brings extensive experience in designing and cultivating mycelium-based composites. Eichler’s expertise in plant-based sustainable materials, including her previous work with flax, adds an exciting layer of depth to the project, while Holman contributes his knowledge of growing pure fungal cultures. Eren and Bebber provide expertise in evaluating material properties, as we consider their use in replacing conventional and often carbon-intensive materials for real-world applications.
“It's really exciting to collaborate with experts in such diverse fields. There's often a sharp learning curve to establish a shared technical language across disciplines, but it's the new perspectives of one another's unfamiliar fields that sparks valuable innovation in a project like this one,” said Bielak. “It’s not a project that any one of us could do alone,” adds Eichler.
Overcoming the Challenges of Mycelium Culturing
Cultivating mycelium is no simple task. Mycelium-based composites are notoriously challenging to work with due to the risk of contamination. Agricultural waste products, like hemp and sawdust, are often used as substrates, but these materials can harbor unknown microbes, making sterilization crucial. The team’s approach involves autoclaving the substrates and using clean techniques, but as Bielak and Eichler point out, even with the best precautions, fungal contamination can still occur, particularly when handling large volumes of material in less controlled environments.
“One of the challenges with mycelium is that the initial substrate has to be sterilized — otherwise it gets colonized by everything else, and the mycelium can’t grow,” explains Eichler. “But sterilizing something like ten pounds of straw is a lot harder than sterilizing in a Petri dish.”
Despite these challenges, the team is optimistic that with careful testing and refinement, they will be able to develop a reliable process for cultivating clean mycelium and scaling it up for practical use.
The First Cycle: Testing and Building
This summer, the team plans to begin their first testing cycle. The process involves inoculating sterilized substrates with mycelium and allowing them to grow in two stages. The first stage is the initial growth of the mycelium on the substrate, followed by a second phase where additional nutrients are introduced to support the mycelium’s growth into structural composite pieces. These pieces are then dehydrated to solidify and harden, ready for testing.
“We’re testing several combinations of substrates to see how different properties impact the growth of the mycelium,” says Bielak. “Our goal is to get through our first cycle with one set of substrates and then iterate based on what we learn from those tests.”
The Future of Mycelium-Based Composites
As the team moves forward with their research, they are excited about the potential impact of mycelium-based composites on the built environment. With the mycelium functioning as a non-toxic and safely biodegradable binder, both Bielak and Eichler see MBCs as a promising solution for sustainable, regenerative building materials. Additionally, by producing MBCs using locally sourced agricultural products or byproducts, the project offers the potential for reducing carbon footprints and promoting circular economies in the construction industry.
“We recognize the significance of this research, not just for the built environment but for other industries as well,” Bielak says. “We’re hoping that this research leads to transformative materials that can be produced locally, reducing waste and providing a sustainable alternative to conventional materials.”
Eichler adds, “The timing of this project is perfect, as there’s growing interest in biobased materials. Mycelium-based products are still underexplored, and this project could help unlock their full potential.”
Reflections and Future Plans
The team expressed their deep gratitude for the support from the ESDRI Seed Grant, which has made this innovative research possible. “We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to pursue this research, and we’re excited about the future potential,” Bielak concludes. “Working collaboratively with such a talented team makes this project even more exciting, and we can’t wait to see where it leads.” As the team looks ahead to the next stages, they remain focused on developing a reliable and scalable method for cultivating mycelium-based composites. With the first testing cycle they are working to refine the autoclaving process, optimize substrate combinations, and assess material performance. After initial tests they plan to use their findings to apply for larger research grants from agencies such as the National Science Foundation. As they continue their work, the interdisciplinary team remains hopeful that their research will have a lasting impact, not just within the construction industry but across a range of sectors seeking environmentally friendly, regenerative materials.
About ESDRI Seed Grants
Each year the Environmental Science and Design Research Institute hosts a competitive request for proposals which are reviewed by an interdisciplinary panel, awarding seed grants with funding up to $12,000 for multidisciplinary research related to ESDRI’s wide-ranging areas of focus. These seed grants provide funds for preliminary or early-stage research, facilitating the building blocks to apply for extramural funding.
The application cycle for seed grants is typically early spring. To apply, at least one person from the research team must be an ESDRI affiliated faculty member. If you are interested in becoming an ESDRI-affiliated faculty member, please email esdri@kent.edu.