Sounds good, that mycelium!

Building on Mycelium

In the “Building on Mycelium” project, Avans University of Applied Sciences, HZ University of Applied Sciences and Utrecht University are working together with partners from large companies, SMEs, branch associations and water boards to investigate whether mycelium bio-composites from local (residual) streams, such as cellulose and straw, have potential for use as natural insulation and plate materials in furniture and interior construction. To gain insight into this potential, various variants of mycelium bio-composites have been developed and the relevant properties are mapped out together with students.

Acoustic absorption

Graduate student Francisco Exposito and researcher Joost Vette have looked at the acoustically absorbing properties of these materials. They were assisted in this by acoustic expert Anne de Jong from the company ASCEE. Francisco made samples from different natural fibers and mycelium in the Material Incubator Lab and the sound absorption of these samples was tested in the impedance tube of ASCEE. In this test setup, sound at different frequencies is “fired” on a sample in a tube and then it is measured how much sound is returned. In addition to the fiber composition, the effect of various finishing operations was also measured, including the protective coating from project partner Impershield.

What now?

The results of these indicative test results show that mycelium bio-composites of local (residual) flows such as hemp and straw have interesting acoustic properties. In a next step, it will be examined in more detail which properties of the mycelial materials exactly influence the absorption of the material, by looking for links between the absorption and aspects such as the air permeability, density and internal structure of the mycelial bio-composites.

Find out more about this project? Please contact Ilse Rovers or Joost Vette!