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Mycelium-based composites are emerging as a promising class of materials that offer both cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability. These materials are gaining significant attention in research and industry, particularly in fields like construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and biomedicine. By utilizing the natural growth of fungi, these composites provide a low-energy method for bio-fabrication, transforming readily available agricultural by-products and waste into viable, eco-friendly alternatives to traditional, energy-intensive synthetic materials. Their low cost and environmentally friendly nature make them highly appealing for both research and commercialization.
Currently, mycelium-based foams and sandwich composites are being actively developed for use in construction due to their remarkable thermal insulation, excellent acoustic absorption, and superior fire safety compared to conventional building materials like synthetic foams and engineered woods. These properties position mycelium composites as strong candidates for thermal and acoustic insulation applications.

This research project aims to fabricate tailored microbial materials using agri-food waste streams. Novel fungal species native to Queensland will be discovered, isolated and combined with these waste sources to produce a biomass and compared to the leading microbial biomaterial agent. Post-processing techniques will then be employed to create the microbial-based composite. By utilising novel additives and new methods for incorporating bacterial cellulose, the properties of the composite will be optimised to address major challenges in the microbial-based composite fabrication process and its characteristics, establishing it as a reliable replacement for traditional construction materials.

For more information, please email the Graduate Research School or phone 0746 311088.