Supervisors info:
Ζαχαρούλα Γκόνου Ζάγκου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια Τμήμα Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ, (Επιβλέπουσα),
Ιωάννα Πυρρή, (Ε.ΔΙ.Π.) Τμήματος Βιολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ,
Νικόλαος Ζαχαρόπουλος, Μόνιμος Λέκτορας Τμήματος Μηχανικών Σχεδίασης Προϊόντων & Συστημάτων του
Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου, Σύρος
Summary:
The last decades have been marked by serious environmental challenges such as climate crisis, the improvident use of natural resources, the natural habitat loss, the atmospheric, soil and water pollution - among others - have disrupted the harmony and have led to an urgent need to redefine energy, consumer and research-focused options and develop new approaches.
In the context of the current transition from a linear to a circular economy, ecologically friendly renewable solutions are increasingly gaining ground.
Fungi, though a largely neglected kingdom for most of scientific history, are vital to almost every aspect of our daily lives, providing us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, the medicine we take, the clothes we are wearing. The fungal kingdom is the centerpiece of Earth’s life support system.
They are largely invisible but essential to life on earth as the animal kingdom depends on the plant kingdom to keep their survival while 70 to over 90% of land plants depend on the symbiotic relationships they develop with fungi in their roots (mycorrhizae) for their adequate survival and growth (Behie & Bidochka, 2014).
Also, as nutrient recyclers, they play a decisive role in maintaining soil fertility. In recent years, their highly versatile metabolism as well as the property of acting as an effective binding material, has attracted the attention of industry and academia towards the development of biocomposites with a low carbon footprint.
Fungal biotechnology, as a modern branch of biotechnology, is an innovation driver for the bioeconomy according to the principles of circular economy and sustainability.
In light of these findings, natural bio-composites are an emerging and promising field in materials science and physical construction (sensu lato) with natural fibers being the key raw material for the production of commodities and many technical products until some years before.
Fungal-based eco-friendly biocomposites have the potential to drastically curb the environmental costs of the construction - mainly but not only - sector and provide an innovative alternative sustainable solution to modern housing and development.
The development of myco-materials of this work was based on the technique of traditional weaving which worked as the basis for designing supporting structures allowing the generation of three-dimensionally developed blocks. While using the technique of 3 dimensional (3D) knitting, multiple two-dimensional surfaces are being manipulated in such a way that the various layers of fibers are interlaced to produce a three-dimensional single structure. Based on the tests performed, hemp fiber was selected as the dominant substrate for the mycelium. The raw materials - natural fibers and mycelium of basidiomycetes (biocatalyst) - and their properties determined - limiting or expanding - their development process, their final applications.
This describes a recently introduced method, “material driven design”.
We also tested the bio-structures regarding their response to three stress situations: a mechanical stress - in this case a compression test, as well as a biodegradation test in natural environment and in semi-controlled conditions as well as a fire resistance and reaction to fire test.
The goal was to create biodegradable, self-grown, environmentally efficient, bio-composite building materials using the development method that was introduced in this postgraduate thesis which can perform as a groundwork for further exploration and transformation (if not only contribution) to the construction industry.
Keywords:
fungi, biotechnology, biocomposites, materials, natural fibers, weaving
