Tinder mushrooms, belonging to the genus Fomes, are a type of hard, woody fungi commonly found on decaying trees. A notable species, Fomes fomentarius, has potential applications in various modern industries, including the production of sustainable materials for construction, furniture design, and fashion accessories. Researchers are exploring its use in creating eco-friendly leather alternatives and innovative biocomposites. This mushroom's versatility highlights its significance in the pursuit of sustainable and renewable resources.
Myco-Tetris
A project by Alessandro Volpato, is an interactive initiative involving the public in manufacturing fungal composites, aiming to stimulate biotechnology research and encourage sustainable design. By engaging in activities like playing, building, and learning about fungi, visitors contribute to co-design efforts and applied research in fungal biotechnology.
As the course "Growing Microorganisms for Bioart Projects SoSe24," we are continuing with the Myco-Tetris project, and this document serves as our day-by-day documentation. The actual work spans four meetings, capturing our progress and insights throughout the process.
Day 0 Prepare Agar Medium Petri Dishes
The preparation of agar medium Petri dishes was already completed in advance, allowing the course participants to skip this step. For reference to the original experiment, please see Prepare Agar Medium Petri Dishes
Day 1 Prepare agar medium flat jars
For reference to the original experiment, please see Prepare agar medium flat jars
Day 2 Preparation of Grain Spawn
Objective: Prepare grain substrate in a jar to produce biomass.
Materials: pressure cooker, scale, distilled water, rice grains, gypsum (CaSO4 - calcium sulphate), spoon, plate with well-growing mycelium, scalpel, gloves, ethanol, jar, wadding
Step 1: Weigh Materials
| Component | Quantity | Component Quantity Custom Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| rice grain | 30 | multiplier | g |
| Calcium sulphate (gypsum) | (2%) 0.6g | multiplier | g |
Step 2: Soak rice Grains and Add Gypsum
- Pour boiling distilled water over rice grains and allow them to soak for a minimum of one hour to absorb the water fully.
- Drain any excess liquid.
- Combine the gypsum with the soaked rice grains, ensuring thorough mixing.
- Transfer the mixture into a heat-resistant glass jar.
- Create a ventilation hole in the lid and insert cotton wadding for mushroom air exchange.
- Seal the jars and cover the lid with aluminum foil.
Step 3: Sterilize In Pressure Cooker
Step 4: Add Mycelium
Step 5: Incubate
For reference to the original experiment, please see Preparation of Grain Spawn
Day 3 Preparation of a Small Bag with Substrate
For reference to the original experiment, please see Preparation of a Small Bag with Substrate
Day 4 Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials
For reference to the original experiment, please see Fabrication of a solid object made of mycelium composite materials