Living material fabrication for sustainable lightweight structures.

During decades we’ve produced materials by extracting finite valuable resources without taking their end of the life and environmental impact into account. Plastic and concrete are examples of such materials. What if we could grow building materials that are fully bio-degradable after their use? This research focusses on the development of biologically grown materials using micro-organisms and on the application of these novel materials using new manufacturing techniques such as robotic printing. Those living materials are produced from the combination of the root structure of mushrooms (the mycelium) or bacteria with agricultural by-products, such as straw. This combination generates composites which are fully compostable and suitable for various industries, such as the building sector. Examples of applications are temporary structures (shelters, pavilions), structural components, and furniture. We will investigate various factors of the biological growth process of the materials, such as the choice of fibres and micro-organism and the growth conditions of the composite. In addition, the use of new 3D printing techniques allows the generation of elements with multifunctional characteristics within the same material and in a single fabrication, such as variations in density, thickness and strength. This research engages a strategic transition towards a circular bio-based economy by developing innovative lightweight structural components made from biologically grown material.