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Starting from the renowned "big things have small beginnings", I decided to use the powers of mother nature itself, in order to spare her from the toxic materials, namely plastic. So why not come up with something that it's as handy to me, as it's friendly to the nature?! Win-win situation. | Starting from the renowned "big things have small beginnings", I decided to use the powers of mother nature itself, in order to spare her from the toxic materials, namely plastic. So why not come up with something that it's as handy to me, as it's friendly to the nature?! Win-win situation. | ||
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= MYCOWRITER = | = MYCOWRITER = | ||
'''PROCEDURE | ''The object-like metaphor for the replacement of harmful plastics with mushroom-based substances.'' | ||
===PROCEDURE=== | |||
I) Straw-Mycelium bond | ==== I) Straw-Mycelium bond ==== | ||
[[Image:FC40APHI6H7DNZX.LARGE.jpg]] | [[Image:FC40APHI6H7DNZX.LARGE.jpg]] | ||
==== II) Pen-like form ==== | |||
II) Pen-like form | |||
[[Image:Pen-likeform.jpg]] | [[Image:Pen-likeform.jpg]] | ||
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* Note: Water-sprayed, since it prevents the material from drying out during the growth. | * Note: Water-sprayed, since it prevents the material from drying out during the growth. | ||
==== III) Cellophane-wrapping ==== | |||
III) Cellophane-wrapping | |||
[[Image:Wrapping.jpg]] | [[Image:Wrapping.jpg]] | ||
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* The plastic stimulates the molding process while keeping the myco-material moist during its growth period. It also reduces the risk of contamination from other bacteria. | * The plastic stimulates the molding process while keeping the myco-material moist during its growth period. It also reduces the risk of contamination from other bacteria. | ||
==== IV) Let-it-grow phase ==== | |||
IV) Let-it-grow phase | |||
''after 12 days of growth'' | ''after 12 days of growth'' | ||
[[Image:After12days.jpg]] | [[Image:After12days.jpg]] | ||
* The mycelium colonizes the agricultral product, since it grows by consuming carbon-rich materials (in this case: the straw), resulting in a wet-like myco-material. | * The mycelium colonizes the agricultral product, since it grows by consuming carbon-rich materials (in this case: the straw), resulting in a wet-like myco-material. | ||
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* Considering that I was aiming at turning the myco-material into a pen-like cover, I inserted a netting needle throughout the whole process, in order to keep and ensure the needed hole for the final insertion of the refill stick of the pen. (see step VI) | * Considering that I was aiming at turning the myco-material into a pen-like cover, I inserted a netting needle throughout the whole process, in order to keep and ensure the needed hole for the final insertion of the refill stick of the pen. (see step VI) | ||
==== V) Bake and stop ==== | |||
V) Bake and stop | |||
[[Image:oven1.jpg]] | [[Image:oven1.jpg]] | ||
[[Image:oven2.jpg]] | [[Image:oven2.jpg]] | ||
* In order to stop the further growth of the mycelium, heating it up is crucial. Baking kills the mycelium, as well as dries and solidifies the material. | * In order to stop the further growth of the mycelium, heating it up is crucial. Baking kills the mycelium, as well as dries and solidifies the material. | ||
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* One should be careful with the relation between heating temperature and duration. The myco-material can be burnt very easily. During my experiment, the material failed to get baked properly at 200°C for 40 minutes. It succeeded only at 200°C for 25-30 minutes. However, this also depends on the size of the material. The larger, the longer. | * One should be careful with the relation between heating temperature and duration. The myco-material can be burnt very easily. During my experiment, the material failed to get baked properly at 200°C for 40 minutes. It succeeded only at 200°C for 25-30 minutes. However, this also depends on the size of the material. The larger, the longer. | ||
==== VI) Penify-it ==== | |||
VI) Penify-it | |||
[[Image:penify.jpg]] | [[Image:penify.jpg]] | ||
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True, my personal reduction of the plastic usage is no bigger than a 15 cm long material, but small steps people... small steps, to a bio-based future. | True, my personal reduction of the plastic usage is no bigger than a 15 cm long material, but small steps people... small steps, to a bio-based future. | ||
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''There are three principles that should govern better materials. Firstly, they should be able to be created almost anywhere on the planet. Secondly, they should require considerably less energy to produce than current materials. Lastly, they should be able to be disposed of by nature's wonderful open-source recycling system.'' - Eben Bayer | |||