FungiZap: Energy-efficient deactivation of mycelium using high-voltage technologies and alternative techniques

Background

Mycelium bio-composites (MBCs) are emerging as sustainable alternatives to conventional insulation and packaging materials. These materials are produced by growing fungal mycelium on agricultural residues, where the mycelial network binds the fibers into a solid composite. Before industrial use, fungal growth must be deactivated to prevent regrowth and ensure material stability.

Currently, deactivation is mainly achieved through long, high-temperature oven drying, which is energy-intensive and can negatively affect material properties.

The FungiZap project investigates innovative, low-energy alternatives based on high-voltage electrical treatments, specifically Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) and Cold Plasma (CP), to deactivate mycelium while preserving material performance.
In addition to solid-state mycelium materials, the project also explores fungal deactivation with the same techniques in liquid cultures, harvested from shaking flasks and bioreactors, to compare treatment effects across different growth formats.

Assignment Description 

As an intern at Avans University of Applied Sciences (MNEXT), you will participate in the FungiZap project, which focuses on developing and evaluating high-voltage deactivation strategies for mycelium bio-composites. Part of the experimental work will be carried out at Avans (Breda), while specialized high-voltage treatments will be performed at the TU Delft High Voltage Laboratory.

You will work with mycelium materials intended for applications in construction and packaging and contribute to understanding how electrical treatments affect fungal viability and material quality.
A minor research component will focus on fungal liquid cultures produced and treated at Avans.

Objectives of the project

• Assist in the application of PEF and Cold Plasma treatments to mycelium bio-composites
• Evaluate fungal deactivation and regrowth potential in solid materials and selected liquid cultures
• Support material and biological characterization after treatment
• Contribute to the optimization of sustainable deactivation processes

Main tasks

• Conduct a literature review on mycelium, mycelium bio-composites and pure mycelium materials, and high-voltage deactivation methods
• Lab work at Avans: production of mycelium bio-composites, fungal liquid cultures in shaking flasks and bioreactors (liquid fermentation will be performed by researchers) and regrowth of fungi on petri discs.
• Experimental work at TU Delft: support high-voltage PEF and CP treatments
• Data analysis, interpretation of results, and reporting
• Participate in team discussions on process optimization and future research directions

Working language: we have a multidisciplinary and international team. Therefore, the language is English. Some of the researchers also speak Dutch.

Starting Date & Compensation

February 2025. The length of the internship graduation assignment is approximately 20 weeks. The student will get an internship fee of €350, – per month.

Contacts

·         Internship Supervisor: Stefano Roccio (s.roccio@avans.nl )