# Robust Myco-Composites as a Platform for Versatile Hybrid-Living Structural Materials

**Authors:** Sabrina C. Shen, Nicolas A. Lee, William J. Lockett, Aliai D. Acuil, Hannah B. Gazdus, Branden N. Spitzer, Markus J. Buehler  
**arXiv:** [2305.12151](https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.12151)  
**Date:** 2023-05-20  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2305.12151v1/

## Key points

- Living mycelium has potential for creating sustainable and functional composites
- Current hybrid-living mycelium composites have limitations in manufacturing processes and compatibility with complex geometries
- The authors introduce a novel platform for manufacturing structural myco-composites that overcome these constraints
- The platform yields the strongest mycelium composite reported to date
- High-resolution biocomposite additive manufacturing enables the creation of complex three-dimensional forms
- Robust mycelium colonization achieved through indirect inoculation
- The new platform enhances the versatility and applicability of mycelium materials
- Examples include foldable self-sealing containers and flexible mycelium textiles
- The study presents a significant advancement in the field of mycelium composites
- Possibilities for developing next-generation sustainable materials with wide-ranging applications are opened up.

## Summary

Living mycelium, a network of filamentous fungal threads, has shown great potential for creating sustainable and functional composites. However, current hybrid-living mycelium composites face limitations in terms of manufacturing processes and compatibility with complex geometries. In this study, the authors introduce a novel platform for manufacturing structural myco-composites that overcome these constraints and yield the strongest mycelium composite reported to date. By leveraging principles of directed composite design and broad biocompatibility, the researchers were able to create complex three-dimensional forms using high-resolution biocomposite additive manufacturing. They also achieved robust mycelium colonization through indirect inoculation. This new platform greatly enhances the versatility and applicability of mycelium materials. To demonstrate the capabilities of this platform, the authors fabricated foldable self-sealing containers and flexible mycelium textiles. These examples highlight the potential for diverse applications of hybrid-living engineered materials. Overall, this study presents a significant advancement in the field of mycelium composites by introducing a new manufacturing platform that enables the creation of complex structures while producing stronger composites than ever before. The findings open up possibilities for developing next-generation sustainable materials with wide-ranging applications.