Method of processing a reconstructed mycelium object and a reconstructed mycelium object
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mycelium is fragile and delicate, particularly when certain processing criteria such as water content and flexibility are not met, making it challenging to produce end products with desired properties like flexibility, softness, and strength in a cost-effective manner.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a reconstruction process that includes deacetylation, plastification, and dyeing processes performed by exposing mycelium objects to reactive chemical agents and pressurized processing fluids in supercritical conditions, using carbon dioxide as the processing medium, which allows for efficient material penetration without large water usage, minimizing processing time and energy consumption, and enhancing material chemical uptake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional processing methods are used on mycelium, then processing can be performed with simple equipment, but the mycelium becomes damaged and loses flexibility and strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning the processing fluid from subcritical to supercritical state (temperature above 31.1°C and pressure above 73.9 bar for CO2). This parameter change enables the fluid to penetrate mycelium effectively and deliver chemical agents for strengthening without damaging the delicate structure, thus improving mycelium strength while using relatively simple equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The supercritical processing fluid acts as an intermediary carrier that transports reactive chemical agents into the mycelium structure. This intermediary enables the chemical agents to reach the mycelium cells uniformly and facilitate cross-linking reactions that strengthen the mycelium, while the fluid itself can be easily removed by depressurization without leaving residues
2Strength
If mycelium is processed to improve flexibility and softness, then product quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the processing fluid between supercritical and gaseous states. By maintaining supercritical conditions during processing, the fluid penetrates mycelium rapidly and delivers chemical agents for quick flexibility improvement. Subsequent depressurization causes rapid phase transition to gas, enabling fast fluid removal and completing the process quickly without prolonged processing time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical processing methods (which would be time-consuming and damaging) with supercritical fluid processing. The supercritical state provides liquid-like density for effective penetration and gas-like diffusivity for rapid mass transfer, achieving flexibility improvement in shorter time without mechanical damage to the mycelium structure
3Quantity of substance
If large quantities of water are used for processing, then chemical agents can be effectively delivered, but material chemical uptake decreases and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the processing fluid to supercritical conditions, which provides liquid-like density for high chemical agent concentration and gas-like diffusivity for rapid penetration. This parameter change enables effective chemical agent delivery with minimal fluid quantity, reducing energy consumption for heating and handling large volumes of water while achieving superior chemical uptake in the mycelium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the unique properties of supercritical fluids, which exhibit characteristics between gases and liquids. The fluid can be injected under pressure into the mycelium structure, and its compressibility and density can be controlled by adjusting pressure and temperature parameters, enabling efficient chemical agent delivery with reduced fluid quantities and lower energy consumption compared to conventional aqueous processing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method produces high-quality, durable, and flexible mycelium products with homogeneous dyeing and improved strength, while reducing processing time and energy consumption, and facilitating easy handling of mycelium fibrils during processing.
Implementation Method 1
A supercritical fluid able to penetrate a mycelium object can be used as processing medium as long as the selected reactive chemical agents (such as deacetylation, plastification, and dyeing agents) are soluble or transportable in the pressurized fluid
Implementation Method 2
When the temperature and pressure both are increased to be above the critical point (CP) for carbon dioxide, it adopts properties midway between gas and a liquid. Here, it behaves as a supercritical fluid above its critical temperature (31.1° C.) and critical pressure (73.9 bar)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of processing a mycelium object (30) in the form of a mycelium fibril into a mycelium product (MYP), the mycelium object comprising hyphae cells, said hyphae cells having cell walls, the cell walls of said hyphae cells comprising natural polymer including chitin/chitosan polymer, the method of processing the mycelium object (30) includes a reconstruction process (REC) for reconstructing mycelium objects in the form of mycelium fibrils into a mycelium fiber, the method of processing the mycelium object (30) further including at least one of the following processes: a deacetylation process (DEP) a plastification process (PP) a dyeing process (DYP) and a fat liquoring process (FLP).