Mycelium Research Notebook 2022

Reflecting on last year’s research in 2021-2022, it was discovered that paper did the best compared to dried straw and wood shavings. The paper substrate showed success in terms of performance in growth and structure, as well as, modeling techniques. Growth in mycelium was quicker than the other substrates and during the additive process revealed a strong glue-like bond from the paper properties. Compared to the dried straw substrate, the paper held its shape during removal from the mold, handling, and cutting. During the modeling experiments, the paper seemed to perform the best with hand cutting, cutting in the bandsaw, and dermal sanding. From this analysis, the paper substrate will be continued through another set of iterative experiments. One consideration to be noted is that the kit used during the experiment contained a starter substrate: hemp. While the paper was an additive substrate to the kit, it is important to consider the alteration of growth, consistency, and density. With this research, the kits will not be used and will be replaced with a liquid culture purchased from North Spore. This will create consistent research with one substrate without extra constrictions.

The purpose of this research is to continue the experiment, and document mycelium’s relationship with paper as a substrate. The goal of this project is to initiate a baseline of information for future development to produce an alternative modeling material to foam.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This notebook would not be possible without the support from the Kusske Design Initiative. I would like to express my gratitude towards Greg McNeely, Kevin and Rosemary McNeely, Nora McNeely, Allen Kolkowitz, Oliver Din, and Alanna Nissen.

Thank you to Justin Kindelspire and Nat Kim for your help with the CNC machine and design file.

Thank you to Anne Henly for sharing and initiating this research to create an alternative biodegradable modeling material.

Thank you to Malini Srivastava, Jessica Rossi-Mastracci, and Eugene Park for guiding this research.

SUPPLIES

- biodegradable gloves - 90% alcohol - masks - paper towels - mixing bowl

- grow bag with filter - self-healing injection ports - clips

- tablespoon and liquid measuring cup - digital scale - sieve - blender - mold/deep baking pan 13” x 9” x 3”

- baking sheets 13” x 9” x 1” - large stainless steel bowl

- filtered water

- flour - mycelium liquid culture

Pink Oyster Mushroom

For this research, the fruit of the mushroom is not important to this experiment, but choosing a specific species is salient for the limited time and efficient analysis.

From the North Spore selection of species, the Pink Oyster Mushroom has the quickest colonization between 9 to 14 days (Sayner). The level of difficulty is specified as a beginner on the North Spore website. As a liquid culture, it is beneficial that it’s not refrigerated and it has a two-month shelf life.

TYPES OF PAPER

The paper used in this research has been collected from the College of Design offices which have been recycled and shredded. Prior to the experiments, 90% alcohol was sprayed to minimize bacteria and contamination in the growing process. Both the long and short strips of paper were used in their original form. The paper pulp was blended with water to achieve a smoother consistency.

11. Fold down top and clip

12. Place self-healing foam to bag

13. Sanitize syringe and sterilize needle with heat

14. Add 1 ml of mycelium liquid culture

15. Gently massage bag to disperse mycelium culture

16. Store in a dark room for 7 days

17. At day 7 shake bag to break up colonization

18. Check for colonization on day 14

10. Add 1 ml of mycelium liquid

13. At day 7 shake bag to break up

11. Gently shake bag to disperse mycelium

12. Store in a dark room for 7 days

18. Check for colonization on day 14

10-20-2022 10-31-2022

The first experiment used the North Spore pink oyster liquid culture. During handling, the product was accidentally refrigerated which was not advised on the product’s website. Since this accident occurred, it was assumed that the mycelium culture either died or became weaker, thus having no successful colonization. On October 31, the experiments began to mold which is no longer useable.

Takeaways: - Pink oyster mushroom culture CANNOT be refrigerated.

The shredded paper substrate had a slight pink discoloration. This was also occured in experiment one, which was thought to be a form of colonization.

The paper puree substrate showed signs of pinkish-brown mucus-like formations. It was strange since it was only on a couple of clumps.

Shredded paper substrate develops a yellow gritty substance.

Growbio kit after one week of colonization.

For this second experiment, a new order of North Spore pink oyster liquid culture was ordered and handled more carefully. After two weeks of inoculation, there was not much change from the first experiment. It had similar results of discoloration and not much physical change or noticeable colonization growth. I reached out to North Spore to get some expert feedback and one theory was that the paper substrate alone may not be enough nutrients for the mycelium. Mycelium is typically combined with a wood substrate which holds the necessary nutrients for the mycelium to grow. From last year’s experiment, I used Growbio kits which had a successful outcome in terms of colonization. After noticing a lack of change with the second experiment, we ordered a kit from Growbio. Growbio has preinoculated mycelium with hemp as a substrate. The third bag to the right of the second growth photo is the Growbio kit.

Takeaways:

- Paper as the only substrate does not contain enough nutrients for mycelium

- Maintaining a consistent temperature between 72-76 degrees

GROWBIO KIT WITH PULP PAPER

1.

GROWBIO KIT WITH SHREDDED PAPER

1. Divide the kit in half

2. Add 50% shredded paper and 1 TBSP of flour

3. Mix 3. Ready to go into bag and grow for another 5-7 days

7. Cover with plastic wrap and clip down

8. Use a toothpick to poke hole into the plastic

DRYING THE MATERIAL

top of material

bottom of material

Before drying the material, I used the digital scale to check the weight. The weight of the wet material was 6.37 lbs. The mycelium material was dried using a small electric fan for six days. During those six days, the material would be flipped and rotated so that all sides were dried by the fan evenly. On the sixth day, the material felt dry, but I took extra measures by baking it at 180 degrees for an hour. Baking the material is a method to speed up the drying process compared to air drying.

shredded paper strips

shredded paper strips pulp paper pulp paper

CNC ROUTING

CNC design credit to university of minnesota architecture student

timelapse video!

Halfway through the CNC run, the CNC router was stopped since the mycelium material began to shred larger chunks. In the photo, the darker brown areas on the material are damp. Mycelium seems to be hydrophobic and when the exterior layer became dry, it trapped the water in the center. The solution was to pause the CNC machine and continue air drying with a fan over the weekend. On Monday, the material warped and was removed from the CNC bed. After further research, Growbio’s website suggested a 4-hour low-temperature baking for thinner materials. For future studies, I would suggest baking the material first for at least 8 hours or experimenting with a food dehydrator. Another useful tool might be to use a plant moisture meter to check the inside of the material.

Takeaways:

- Bake material at a low temperature first