Funded by: Afeyan Foundation
PI: Arsen Gasparyan
Researcher: Narine Mardirossian
Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) are created by growing fungal mycelium (the root-like network of hyphae) through a lignocellulosic substrate. The resulting materials can serve as sustainable alternatives in packaging (e.g. replacements for plastic foams), as well as for textile and leather substitutes, acoustic paneling, architectural components, and even mycelium construction bricks. As self-growing, biodegradable, and low-cost biomaterials, they align well with circular-economy principles and have a huge potential to address global sustainability and societal challenges.
In the typical biomanufacturing workflow, mycelium inoculated substrates colonize and bond into a composite and are then dried and heat processed to stabilize the structure. By varying substrate type, fungal strain, and processing method, specific MBC architecture and functions can be achieved.
The goal of this project is to establish mycelium-based composite (MBC) research in Armenia by evaluating different fungal species and substrates as well as experiment with varying growth conditions (temperature, humidity, and light) to determine their influence on the mechanical properties of the composites.
The project can catalyze interest in mycelium-based composites and establish a research track in Armenia. The results can be integrated into AUA laboratory coursework and offered as capstone project topics, building student capacity. In the long-term perspective, and depending on funding availability, the research outcomes can scale toward MBC pilot production. Therefore, through this project, we will establish the foundations of mycelium-based composites research at the American University of Armenia. We also plan to prepare a manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Currently, pure mycelium mother cultures and grain spawn of the target fungal species (M2191 Pleurotus ostreatus, M9726 Ganoderma lucidum, M9740 Fomes fomentarius, M9911 Trametes versicolor) have been obtained, and the growing facility is being set up to initiate the experiments. Within the project, the mechanical properties of mycelium-based composites and the growth parameters using the invasive tree species Ailanthus altissima as a substrate for the above-mentioned fungal species will be tested.