Ecovative Design LLC

Sarah Araldi

Gavin Reim McIntyre

Eben Bayer

Jacob Michael Winiski

Alex Carlton

Gregory John Tudryn

Lucy Elaine Greetham

Courtney Elizabeth Hart

A mycological biopolymer product consisting entirely of fungal mycelium is made by inoculating a nutritive substrate with a selected fungus in a sealed environment except for a void space, which space is subsequently filled with a network of undifferentiated fungal mycelium. The environmental conditions for producing the mycological biopolymer product, i.e. a high carbon dioxide (CO) content (from 5% to 7% by volume) and an elevated temperature (from 85&#xb0; F. to 95&#xb0; F.), prevent full differentiation of the fungus into a mushroom. There are no stipe, cap, or spores produced. The biopolymer product grows into the void space of the tool, filling the space with an undifferentiated mycelium chitin-polymer, which is subsequently extracted from the substrate and dried.

Mycological biopolymers grown in void space tooling

A living hydrated mycelium composite containing at least one of a combination of mycelium and fibers, mycelium and particles, and mycelium, particles and fibers is processed with a nutrient material to promote mycelia tissue growth; thereafter dehydrated to a moisture content of less than 50% by weight to deactivate the further growth of mycelia tissue; and then stored. The stored dehydrated mycelium composite is further processed by rehydrating to reactivate the mycelium and to initiate growth of at least one fruiting body.

Method for making dehydrated mycelium elements and product made thereby

A method of producing an absorbent biocompatible material which comprises mixing at least one mycological material, such as a fungus or fungal tissue, with at least one lignocellulosic material to provide a biocomposite material comprising the at least one mycological material and the at least one lignocellulosic material. The biocomposite material then is contacted with at least one substance that increases the hydrophilicity of the biocomposite material, thereby providing an absorbent biocomposite material that has a variety of uses, such as absorbent materials for use in vegetation propagation and preservation, animal bedding, animal litter, filler in diapers, cold chain materials for temperature regulation, ice packs, absorbent foams and mats, such as decorative floral arrangement foams, carpet mats, and absorbent booms applied to chemical spills.

Chemically modified mycological materials having absorbent properties

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Troy, NY, United States of America

Sarah Araldi