sprout

Some organizations who are already doing things on biomaterials including mycelium, pasta starch, lobster shells, etc.

existing players

scope

The existing players are already using biomaterials to make some simple products such as mycelium styrofoam, mycelium leather, packaging, wall tiles, shell brick, and more. However, compare with the enormous number of plastic applications, biomaterial is still getting started. There is much to explore.

Here are some categories of plastic product which biomaterials may be practical alternatives. This project aims to explore further on some of these directions.

Subcategories of packaging and containers are potential areas to explore with mycelium.

co design

Knowing the design goals of plastic replacement, it’s time to codesign with mycelium and prototype on what this natural material is capable of.

Given the circumstance today, our interspecies design team start with easy segments such as simple containers, trays, and fabric.

prototype

inoculant

substrate

Substrate is the material which mycelium is growing on. It is usually from agricultural wastes.

For growing mycelium, substrate needs to be sterilized to prevent contamination so nothing else will compete with mycelium for resources.

SCOBY prototype