Mycological Biomaterial

• US 20180368337A1
• Filed: 08/29/2018
• Published: 12/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ecovative Design LLC
• Original Assignee: Ecovative Design LLC
• Inventors: McIntyre, Gavin, Bayer, Eben, Palazzolo, Amanda
• Application Number:
  US16/116,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20180368337A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 18/64 Cultivation containers; Lids therefor

Abstract

A growth medium formed as an inoculum including a preselected fungus and a nutrient material capable of being digested by the fungus is placed in or on a tool formed of a material capable of being at least partially consumed by the fungus. The tool may define a cavity of predetermined shape for the growth medium or the tool may form a scaffolding on which the growth medium grows into the final product taking on the shape of the tool.

Claims

1. A mycological biomaterial, wherein the mycological biomaterial is formed by:

forming a growth medium comprising an inoculum including a preselected fungus and a nutrient material capable of being digested by the fungus; and

placing the growth medium in a tool formed of a material that is capable of being at least partially consumed by the fungus, wherein the tool defines a cavity of a predetermined shape for the growth medium and the tool serves as a scaffold for growth of the preselected fungus.

2. The mycological biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the material that is capable of being at least partially consumed by the fungus comprises at least one of:

plant fibers, paper fibers, plant-derived non-woven materials, and plant-derived woven materials.

3. The mycological biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the material that is capable of being at least partially consumed by the fungus comprises at least one of:

synthetic fibers, glass fibers, carbon fibers, nylon fibers and plastic fibers.

4. The mycological biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the tool serves as a scaffold for fungal growth by allowing pre-selected fungus to bind to the tool.

5. The mycological biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the tool serves as a scaffold for fungal growth by defining a negative space that is populated during fungal growth.

6. The mycological biomaterial of claim 1, wherein the preselected fungus grows through and over the tool.

7. The mycological biomaterial of claim 6, wherein the tool is formed of a plastic mesh and the preselected fungus grows through and around the plastic mesh.

8. The mycological biomaterial of claim 7, wherein the plastic mesh has a plurality of cavities that are of sufficient diameter to retain the growth medium while allowing air flow.