Mycelium Biomaterial Morphology Control via Modulating Organism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing composite materials using fungal mycelium lack control over specific tissue morphologies, which are crucial for achieving desired material properties such as density, strength, and aesthetic features.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the interaction between a binding organism and a modulating organism is used to stimulate specific tissue morphologies in filamentous fungi, where the modulating organism is introduced to the binding organism to control growth boundaries, density, and pigmentation, thereby influencing the physical and aesthetic properties of the mycelium-based biomaterial.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to produce composite materials using fungal mycelium, then the material can be produced, but control over specific tissue morphologies is lacking, resulting in inconsistent density, strength, and aesthetic features
Solution Approach 1:
A modulating organism is introduced as an intermediary between environmental conditions and the binding organism. This modulating organism directly interacts with the binding organism to stimulate specific tissue morphologies, such as thickened zones of mycelium and extra-cellular pigmentation, thereby providing control over density, strength, and aesthetic features without requiring complex external control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes biological parameters by introducing a modulating organism that alters the growth parameters of the binding organism. This results in controlled variations in tissue morphology, including density, strength characteristics, and pigmentation, achieving manufacturing precision through biological parameter modulation rather than mechanical control
2Manufacturing precision
If the binding organism is allowed to grow freely, then biomass production is high, but specific tissue morphologies cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The modulating organism induces local quality changes in the binding organism by stimulating specific tissue morphologies at particular locations. This creates zones of thickened mycelium and pigmentation with enhanced density and strength while maintaining overall biomass production, as the modification is localized rather than requiring complete growth inhibition
3Manufacturing precision
If a modulating organism is introduced to control growth boundaries, then specific morphologies are achieved, but the cultivation method becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The modulating organism serves as a biological intermediary that naturally controls growth boundaries through competitive interactions. This biological control mechanism replaces complex mechanical or chemical boundary control systems, achieving precise growth boundary definition through ecological relationships between organisms
4Strength
If competitive interactions are used to stimulate tissue morphologies, then material properties are enhanced, but the process requires careful selection and coordination of multiple organisms
Solution Approach 1:
The method achieves enhanced material strength by changing the biological interaction parameters between organisms. The modulating organism alters the growth parameters of the binding organism, inducing thickened zones of mycelium with enhanced strength properties, thereby achieving mechanical property enhancement through controlled biological parameter changes
Data Source
AI summary
The method of making a composite biomaterial employs a binding organism (a filamentous fungi that produce mycelium) based on the material physical properties required for the composite biomaterial and a modulating organism (bacteria, fungus or yeast) based on a desired effect of the modulating organism on the binding organism. The modulating organism is selected based on the desired effect on the binding organism.