Research Assistants: Kate Long, Ellen Yang

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In the summer of 2022, I worked with two student researchers to explore methods in cultivating mycelium leather in the laboratory. This research stems from an interest in new approaches to bio material cultivation and fabrication for design purposes. In the summer of 2022, we focused mainly on biotextiles.

 

We experimented with three different species: Pleurotus ostreatus (平菇), Ganoderma lucidum (赤芝), Trametes versicolor (云芝). We also experimented with a variety of different cultivating methods including cloning, agar culturing, and liquid culturing. We were able to successfully grow mycelium leather with Ganoderma lucidum and Trametes versicolor on a small experimental scale. The material is stronger than we anticipated with minor stretch capabilities.