The use of Mycelium bricks in construction activities has the potential to limit the carbon emissions of the construction industry.

About Mycelium Bricks

• A mycelium brick is an organic brick that is formed from organic waste and the mycelium of fungus.
  • Mycelium are the thin root-like branching filaments fibres from fungi that make up its vegetative part.
• Formation: Mycelium Bricks are made by combining husk, sawdust, agricultural waste and fungal spores to create a fibrous network that solidifies into a lightweight material.
  • The brick takes roughly five days to grow and harden to become usable.
• Properties: 
  • Biodegradable: Mycelium Products are 100% organic thus biodegradable
  • Mould and Fire-Resistant: Mycelium composites are naturally fire-resistant and capable of withstanding high temperatures without emitting toxic fumes.
  • Heat Insulative Properties: Mycelium are a good insulator of heat, thus will help  regulate indoor temperatures and reducing energy consumption in buildings. 
  • Lightweight: Mycelium bricks are lightweight, making them easier to transport and handle, which reduces logistics-related emissions.
  • Acoustic Insulation: Mycelium bricks can also provide good acoustic insulation, contributing to a more comfortable and quiet indoor environment.
• Application: 
  • It has a potential use as panelling material in interior designs
  • Packaging: Mycelium is already been used in packaging purpose with companies such as IKEA and Dell using it as an alternative to polystyrene 
  • Mycelium based components can also be used in liquid filters, sports equipment, and printed circuit boards
  • Myco-Leather: Mycelium can be used to create leather-like materials, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional leather production.
  • Furniture: Mycelium creates the possibility of growing furniture which will be strong and sturdy from inside, but will break down after being overly exposed outside and easily recycled at the end of its life.
  • Biomedical Applications: Mycelium can be used to produce chitin and chitosan, which have potential applications in wound healing and biomedical scaffolds.
  • Environmental Remediation: Certain fungi can break down and absorb contaminants, making mycelial-driven design a potential tool for environmental remediation projects.
• Advantages: 
  • Curbing Fossil Fuels Reliance:  By using mycelium there is a huge reduction on the reliance on fossil fuels
    • The traditional fired clay bricks production emits nearly 300 million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year.
  • Biodegradable: There will be a massive reduction in the building waste as mycelium is a zero-waste material and the product will be 100 percent biodegradable and can be used as soil. 
  • Carbon Neutral Building Process: Through bio fabrication a carbon neutral building process can be achieved eliminating such products as artificial insulation used in walls, MDF and other non load bearing structures. 
  • Termite Proofing: Mycelium products can be created which attract termites but when eaten cause a fungus spore to activate within the termite killing it and creating a fungus whose spores repel other termites.
  • Sustainable Sourcing: Mycelium can be grown using agricultural waste, promoting a circular economy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Drawbacks:
  • Strength: Mycelium-based materials are not as strong as conventional materials like concrete or brick or steel and can’t bear heavier loads for longer periods. 
    • While mycelium composites have a high strength to weight ratio, it is two orders of magnitude lower than concrete. 
  • Unsuitable for Tropical Climates: Mycelium is highly absorbent making it vulnerable to moisture and fungal decay as it absorbs more moisture than synthetic foams and plywood, which is inimical for damp environments with leaking walls or roofs.
  • Production Limitation: They can’t be produced en masse as the cost of growing and treating fungi for construction purposes is currently higher due to lack of infrastructure.

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