mycotopia

Render of a speculative desert pavilion, its mycelium structure has an insulating effect against extreme temperatures © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Render of a speculative desert pavilion, its mycelium structure has an insulating effect against extreme temperatures © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Termite mound © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Termite mound © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Mushroom pH experiment visualizing how fungi change their environment © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Mushroom pH experiment visualizing how fungi change their environment © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

MYCOTOPIA was a collab with TU berlin on 3d-printed mycelium components for architectural application (2021)

Column shells generated with the reaction-diffusion algorithm in Grasshopper, 3D printed from PLA © Clara Schmelter de Escobar

Termite mounds can reach a diameter of up to 30 m and a height of up to 9 m. The insects carry collected plant material into their mounds. There, in an optimally regulated indoor climate, they cultivate a fungus, that processes the material and transforms it into nutrients on which both it and the termites live. In natural additive manufacturing, a special geometry is thus created. Vertical channels promote the convective flow of air and respiratory gases through thermal buoyancy, generated by the funguses metabolic heat. Like a leaf folded in on itself and connected to each other with a uniform thickness of about 4 mm, which probably corresponds to the depth in to which the hyphae can grow effectively, while having access to oxygen. Mycolumn is a collaboration with the Institute for Materials Science & Technologies at TU Berlin. Investigating the hypothesis that an enlarged surface area for fungal gas exchange increases the formation of hyphae, thus maximizing their useful properties as composite materials (Goidea, Ana et. al. Pulp Faction: 3d printed material assemblies through microbial biotransformation, Open Access Fabricate Proceedings Fabricate Conference, pp. 42-49, 2020). As a study, surface enlarged colums shells were 3D printed with porous biopolymers and fillled with substrate and mycelium.

Mycoremediation (from the ancient Greek mukēs - fungus and the Latin remedium - to restore balance) is a form of bioremediation in which fungus-based remediation methods are used to decontaminate the environment.

Mycoremediation (from the ancient Greek mukēs - fungus and the Latin remedium - to restore balance) is a form of bioremediation in which fungus-based remediation methods are used to decontaminate the environment.

The pigment melanin creates dark brown to black or yellowish to reddish colors in almost all creatures. Fungi produce melanin to adapt to extreme environmental conditions which alows them to thrive in Arctic and Antarctic frost areas as well as in so

The pigment melanin creates dark brown to black or yellowish to reddish colors in almost all creatures. Fungi produce melanin to adapt to extreme environmental conditions which alows them to thrive in Arctic and Antarctic frost areas as well as in soil layers contaminated with radionuclides.

In 1999, the Chernobyl reactor unit 4 . radiotrophic fungi were discovered. With the help of melanin, they carry out radiosynthesis: the metabolism of ionizing radiation.

In 1999, the Chernobyl reactor unit 4 . radiotrophic fungi were discovered. With the help of melanin, they carry out radiosynthesis: the metabolism of ionizing radiation.

The horsetail fungus is capable of autolysis: self-decomposition by the enzyme chitinase which decomposes its cap, making it bulge to expose the lamellae and allow for the spores to be carried away by the wind. Once the funguses afterlife is secured

The horsetail fungus is capable of autolysis: self-decomposition by the enzyme chitinase which decomposes its cap, making it bulge to expose the lamellae and allow for the spores to be carried away by the wind. Once the funguses afterlife is secured, it completely melts into black ink within a day.