Building with fungal mycelium - B./M. Sc. Thesis
Scope:
Mycelium-based composites are novel, affordable, and environmentally friendly materials with great potential for application in the construction industry. These materials apply bio-fabrication of natural fungal growth with lignocellulosic by-products to develop sustainable alternatives to traditional energy-intensive construction materials. Among their properties are composability, rapid virtual growth (into almost any given form), acoustic and thermal isolation, and self-binding.
Within the Bachelor's and Master's thesis projects, we propose to focus on their customization capacity based on the material's physical and mechanical properties with their potential material design.
Thesis works could be carried out in theoretical or project forms, depending on the student's choice, but in both cases, a research-oriented approach will be expected.
Possible approaches:
- Analysis of the actual state of the art of naturally grown building materials;
- Fungal mycelium and the construction industry: standards vs. will;
- Understanding principles of structural morphology in mycelium-based composites;
- Technical applications of mycelium-based composites in architectural projects;
- Design and Prototyping of mycelium-based building elements;
- Application of bottom-up strategies into architectural design projects using mycelium-based building elements;
- Application of top-down methods to mycelium-based material design.
Contact: Dana Saez M. Sc.