This research presents a material study that explores the growth and fabrication of full-scale acoustic panel prototypes made of mycelium-based composites. The fabrication of the panel prototypes was performed by first CNC-milling a positive wooden form, and then thermoforming the wooden form with PVC sheets to create a reusable plastic negative formwork. Thermoforming uses heat to make the plastic sheet pliable, then uses a vacuum to form the sheet around the positive mold. The benefit of this process is that multiple panels can be grown through the reuse of a single mold. Once the formworks are fabricated, the next step is to prepare the materials. The same growth protocol used for the mechanical tests is followed. The mycelium mixtures are left to grow in a controlled growth environment, first in autoclavable bags for 12 days and then in the thermoformed formworks for 16 more days. Once grown, the samples are dried and heated in an oven to kill the mycelium and stop the cultivation process.

Publications:

Walter, N. (2023) Mycelium-Based Composites for Sustainable Architectural Acoustics. [Master’s Thesis, Pennsylvania State University]. Penn State University Libraries. https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/catalog/27176nvw5160.