MNEXT > Vacatures > Circular sandwichpanels – Mycelium bio-composite composition
Stage

Circular sandwichpanels – Mycelium bio-composite composition

To decrease the environmental impact caused by the construction sector, biobased materials need to be further developed to allow better integration and acceptance in the market. Mycelium composites are innovative products, with intrinsic properties which rise the attention of architects, designers and industrial companies. Mycelium is the underground network of fungi, such as mushrooms. The mycelium acts as a natural glue to bind biomass. Mycelium grows through the fibers, which function as a growth substrate and a bio-composite matrix. Different organic residual streams from agricultural waste (straw, hemp shives, grass or pepper stems) can be used as substrate. Mycelium composites can be divided into board and foam materials, both of which have the potential to substitute conventional materials, i.e. medium density fireboard (MDF), as well as conventional insulation materials i.e. EPS or PIR. We have researched thoroughly the substrate and fungal combination, but always on pure substrate. Given the need for a standard recipe which does not require always the same material input, we would like to explore the material’s different compositions in more detail.
Startdatum 03 February 2025
Solliciteren voor 20 January 2025
Ervaring Hbo internship
Locatie Breda
Solliciteren

Assignment description

As an intern at MNEXT, you will have the opportunity to participate in the project “Circular sandwichpanels” which focuses on the production of a sandwichpanel with a mycelium biocomposite core and Beyond Wood façade elements. You will be part of the work package 2 section of “Circular sandwichpanels”. The main focus includes:

  • Research on known compositions of mycelium bio-composites
  • Manufacturing of mycelium bio-composite materials using mixed compositions to come up with a standard recipe for the Netherlands.
  • Testing of the materials produced
  • Research on producing a good inner core for sandwichpanel

Your main activities include:

  • Literature research on relevant topics.
  • Feasibility/economic study on the substrates available in the Netherlands
  • Working at the mycelium lab, growing mycelium bio-composite materials
  • Testing physical and thermal characteristics of the materials.
  • Production of a mechanism to flatten the surface of the bio-composites.

Practical information

Period: February 2025 – July 2025. The length of the internship / graduation assignment is approximately 20 weeks.

Compensation: €350,- per month.

Working language: English.

Desirable skills/qualities of the student

The student should be able to work independently and carry out independent laboratory research (after an introduction). Background in environmental science, mechatronics and/or biology is preferred. HBO or university students are welcome.

Meer informatie? Neem contact op met:

Francisco Ortega Exposito

Mail fa.ortegaexposito1@avans.nl Telefoon 31885256416 Solliciteer direct

Meer vacatures

MycEoLA – Lifespan of Mycelium Materials
Middelburg
Stage
BBF – Mechanical behaviour of biobased materials for upright extension
Vlissingen
Stage
Bioinformatics: Analyzing Bacterial Communities; Comparing Full Metagenomic and 16S from Nanopore Sequencing
Breda
Stage
Bioinformatics: Comparative genomics of exotic ethanol-tolerant yeast strain
Breda
Stage
The Development and Optimization of Extraction Methods for Plastic Decolorization
Breda
Stage
Development and Testing of Masterbatches with Sustainable, Curcumin-Based Dyes
Breda
Stage
Improving the Stability and Applications of Natural Dyes through Chemical Modification
Breda
Stage
BBF – Biobased Materials and Coatings Investigation and Criteria Analysis
Breda
Stage
Conversion of residual streams into VFAs for PHA production
Breda
Stage
Biobased Transitions: What can data tell us
Breda
Stage
Data acquisition, analysis and predictive modeling of VFA fermentation
Breda
Stage
Decolorization of Jeans with SuperCritical CO2 for Recycling
Breda
Stage
Enzymatic preparation of epoxidized cardanol and thermosets
Breda
Stage
Chemical recycling of thermosets
Breda
Stage
Preparation of recyclable cardanol based epoxy thermosets
Breda
Stage
Researcher Biomass and Plastic Pyrolysis
Breda
Professioneel
Junior Researcher Biorefinery & Resource Recovery
Breda
Professioneel
Seeing Seaweed Colours: Identifying colour compounds in seaweed-based textile dyes
Bergen op Zoom
Stage
Sustainable Seaweed Dyes: Optimizing the production process of textile dyes from seaweed
Bergen op Zoom
Stage
Environmental impact of chemical recycling
Breda
Stage
Development of Carboxymethyl Kaumera (CMK): A new biobased material
Breda
Stage
MycEoLA – End-of-Life and Remanufacturing of mycelium materials
Breda
Stage
Development of biobased polymer materials and additives using lignin
Bergen op Zoom
Stage
The engineering of biobased Epoxy Resin
Breda
Stage
Researcher Polymer Science and Applications
Breda
Professioneel