Mycelium-Textile Composite Structure for Lightweight Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current composite materials for construction lack sufficient strength, insulating properties, low weight, and low water absorption, and suffer from delamination and shrinkage issues, while traditional materials have high environmental impact and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layer composite element comprising at least two fabric layers connected by spacer elements with a mycelium composite positioned between them, bonded in a form-fitting and/or material-fitting manner to prevent delamination and enhance structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional building materials (cement, bricks, cladding) are used, then structural strength and stability are achieved, but environmental impact and energy consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining textile fabric layers with mycelium-based biological material. The textile provides structural framework and tensile strength, while the mycelium composite provides insulation and structural integrity, creating a hybrid material that reduces dependence on traditional high-impact building materials like cement and bricks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material composition parameters by replacing synthetic insulation materials with mycelium-based biological material. This substitution maintains thermal insulation performance while improving biodegradability and reducing environmental impact, effectively changing the material parameters from conventional to sustainable alternatives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If lightweight construction materials are used, then weight is reduced, but stability and structural integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveweightVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The textile-mycelium composite creates a synergistic structure where the textile fabric provides tensile strength and dimensional stability, while the mycelium composite provides compressive strength and rigidity. This combination achieves both lightweight properties and structural stability, overcoming the typical trade-off between weight and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The composite element is segmented into distinct functional layers: textile fabric layers providing structural framework, spacer elements maintaining geometry, and mycelium composite providing insulation and structural support. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while contributing to overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Temperature

If insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but biodegradability and environmental friendliness worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the insulation material from synthetic polymers (polyurethane, polystyrene) to mycelium-based biological material. This parameter change maintains thermal insulation performance (comparable to conventional materials) while fundamentally improving biodegradability and environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mycelium composite is designed as a biodegradable, temporary material that can naturally decompose after its functional life. This approach replaces permanent synthetic insulation materials with a sustainable alternative that returns to the environment, aligning with circular economy principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If mycelium composite is used alone, then environmental friendliness is improved, but mechanical strength and stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite where textile fabric layers are combined with mycelium material. The textile provides the mechanical strength and structural framework that pure mycelium lacks, while the mycelium provides insulation and environmental sustainability. This composite structure synergistically combines the advantages of both materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The textile fabric acts as an intermediary framework that supports and reinforces the mycelium composite. The fabric layers provide tensile strength and structural integrity, enabling the mycelium material to achieve mechanical properties suitable for construction applications while maintaining its environmental benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Stability of the object's composition

If multi-layer fabric structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but complexity of manufacture increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The textile fabric layers, spacers, and mycelium composite are prepared and assembled in a predetermined sequence before the mycelium growth phase. This preliminary structuring simplifies the manufacturing process by establishing the geometric framework in advance, allowing the mycelium to simply grow and fill the predefined space rather than requiring complex real-time control during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 composite material achieves high stability, low weight, and effective insulation, reducing environmental impact by using renewable resources and promoting a circular economy, suitable for load-bearing and insulating applications.

Implementation Method 1

Myelium binds organic materials through a network of hyphal microfilaments in a natural biological process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMycelium growth and binding:

Implementation Method 2

The multi-layer composite element according to the invention is used as a lightweight construction element for load-bearing and insulating applications

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4613476A1Multi-layer composite element

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 WIRTZ MEYER GMBH

Figure 1A~1C
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~4B

AI summary

The present invention discloses a multi-layer composite element for use as a lightweight construction element for structural and insulating applications, comprising a multi-layer fabric comprising at least two fabric layers connected by spacer elements, and a mycelium composite that is positively and/or materially bonded to the fabric layers in partial areas or across the entire surface. The mycelium composite is arranged in an operatively connected manner in the space spanned by the fabric layers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing the multi-layer composite element and a multi-layer composite system comprising the multi-layer composite element.