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==== '''Day 4 Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials''' ==== | ==== '''Day 4 Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials''' ==== | ||
Materials: Negative mold (PLEXIGLAS), well colonised substrate, kitchen wrap, gloves, rubbing alcohol, spray bottle. | |||
<u>Step 1:</u> | |||
* Construct a negative mold and cover the surfaces with kitchen wrap. | |||
* Wear gloves and clean everything with 70% alcohol, including the working surface, tools, and mold. | |||
* Break down the mycelium in the bag/culture into tiny pieces with your hands; the smaller, the better. | |||
* Fill the mold with the substrate and press the material firmly. | |||
* Wrap the filled mold in kitchen film and puncture it to allow oxygen flow. | |||
* Place the mold in an environment conducive to mushroom growth, ensuring optimal temperature, humidity, and light conditions. | |||
<u>Step 2:</u> | |||
* Inspect the mold every few days. Once the material is securely bonded and there are no signs of contamination, it is ready to be extracted from the negative mold. | |||
* Gently remove the object from the mold and place it into a bag with an oxygen filter, or a loosely closed plastic bag to ensure air circulation. | |||
* Return the object to an environment suitable for mushroom growth and observe its development every few days. | |||
* Rotate the object to a different position if the mycelium growth is uneven or not progressing as expected. | |||
<u>Step 3:</u> | |||
* Once the object is deemed ready, it needs to be thoroughly dried. The drying process typically takes 1 to 3 days, so plan accordingly. | |||
* Preheat your home oven to 60-70°C (140-160°F). | |||
* Place the object inside the oven and let it heat for 1 hour. | |||
* Check if the object is dry by touching it. If it is dry, allow it to rest overnight. If it is still moist, leave it in the oven. | |||
* If the object remains moist, repeat the drying steps as needed. | |||
* If mold appears on the object, thoroughly wipe the surface with alcohol, let it dry, and continue the drying cycles. | |||
For reference to the original experiment, please see [https://www.top-ev.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fabrication-of-a-solid-object-made-of-mycelium.pdf Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials] | For reference to the original experiment, please see [https://www.top-ev.de/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Fabrication-of-a-solid-object-made-of-mycelium.pdf Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials] | ||