3D printing Mycelium reinforced structures | MyCera

At the Institute of Architecture and Media at Graz University of Technology, the Shape Lab research group developed a new material named MyCera composed of clay, wood sawdust, and mycelium (vegetative part of fungi) 🍄

The research focuses on using mycelium as an intelligently oriented fiber reinforcement to increase the structural performance of 3D printed unfired clay elements and allow for bio-welding of fired elements.

The Shape Lab team used a Delta WASP 40100 Clay to carry out their research and successfully print MyCera, taking advantage of the machine's open system, scale, and compatibility with any paste-based material.

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Mycelium has been proven to both increase the structural performance of clay 3D printed elements and act as a bio-binder between different pieces, creating a stable combined structure.

Although more tests need to be done to assert its durability, it is safe to say that MyCera is a promising new composite material that could define a new approach to the sustainable fabrication of buildings in the near future 🌱

If you're interested in the topic, you can read more about it on our blog:
👉 link: https://www.3dwasp.com/en/mycera-3d-p...

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Research credits
Authors: Julian Jauk, Hana Vašatko, Lukas Gosch, Milena Stavric

All the footage in this video is credited to Shape Lab - Institute of Architecture and Media, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz).