Self-Repairing Mycelium Material: A Circular Alternative to Concrete
A team of researchers at Montana State University has developed a promising new biomaterial made from mycelium – the root-like structure of fungi – that can repair itself and potentially offer a sustainable alternative to concrete. This living material, created by combining fungal tissue with bacterial cells, represents a significant innovation for designers and architects seeking bio-based, circular solutions for the built environment.
A Living Building Material
The new material is described as biomineralised, meaning it incorporates minerals produced by the living cells within it. Unlike many previous mycelium-based materials, which are generally short-lived or structurally limited, this version is engineered to remain functional for at least a month, with the potential for further extension. By embedding bacteria that trigger self-repair mechanisms when damage or contamination occurs, the researchers aim to provide a low-emission, regenerative alternative to traditional building materials.
This approach offers designers in architecture and landscape architecture a new material typology—one that not only reduces environmental impact but actively regenerates, aligning with circular design principles. Unlike conventional cement, which has a high carbon footprint and accounts for up to 8% of global CO₂ emissions, this living material could be produced and maintained with significantly lower environmental costs.
From Bio-Waste to Bio-Based Innovation
The fungal material is created using waste from once-living organisms, offering additional circularity by repurposing organic waste streams. While current applications focus on structural replacement for concrete, the versatility of mycelium opens future opportunities in areas like interior and product design, where biodegradable, regenerative materials are increasingly in demand.
Assistant Professor Chelsea Heveran, corresponding author of the research, noted that most biomineralised materials do not yet have the strength to replace concrete across all applications. However, the ongoing research aims to boost structural properties, allowing the material to be used in a broader range of construction and design contexts.
Towards More Complex Geometries
In a recent study, the team—led by first author Ethan Viles—used Neurospora crassa fungal mycelium as a scaffold in a low-temperature manufacturing process. This allowed the researchers to craft materials with intricate internal geometries. Inspired by the structure of cortical bone, they applied a 3D-lattice framework to enhance strength and enable internal repair dynamics.
According to Heveran, the fungal scaffolds are especially valuable for controlling internal material architecture. These techniques could pave the way for more advanced, bespoke applications in architectural components, installations, and sustainable material systems.
The researchers are also exploring methods to extend the lifespan of the bacterial cells embedded within the material. Enhancing the cells’ longevity would allow for prolonged performance and greater functionality over time, including repeated self-healing and even contamination mitigation.
Sustainable Potential for the Built Environment
With continued development, this self-repairing mycelium-based material could replace carbon-intensive building elements such as cement, contributing to significant reductions in construction-related emissions. Its living nature offers an exciting path forward for architects and designers looking to implement regenerative materials in sustainable, nature-inspired projects.
For creatives and innovators working across architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, this material represents a compelling fusion of biology and construction, providing new tools for creating spaces that are both functional and future-friendly.
Source: imeche.org
Photo: Lex vB