A Study on the Sound Absorption Properties of Mycelium-Based Composites Cultivated on Waste Paper-Based Substrates

Abstract

Mycelium-based composites have the potential to replace petrochemical-based materials within architectural systems and can propose biodegradable alternatives to synthetic sound absorbing materials. Sound absorbing materials help improve acoustic comfort, which in turn benefit our health and productivity. Mycelium-based composites are novel materials that result when mycelium, the vegetative root of fungi, is grown on agricultural plant-based residues. This research presents a material study that explores how substrate variants and fabrication methods affect the sound absorption properties of mycelium-based composites grown on paper-based waste substrate materials. Samples were grown using Pleurotus ostreatus fungi species on waste cardboard, paper, and newsprint substrates of varying processing techniques. Measurements of the normal-incidence sound absorption coefficient were presented and analyzed. This paper outlines two consecutive acoustic tests: the first round of experimentation gathered broad comparative data, useful for selecting materials for sound absorption purposes. The second acoustic test built on the results of the first, collecting more specific performance data and assessing material variability. The results of this study display that cardboard-based mycelium materials perform well acoustically and structurally and could successfully be used in acoustic panels.

A Study of The Sound Absorption Properties of Layered Composites on Chicken Feather Fibers

“…The coating process is carried out by combining the best aspects of each layer to obtain useful materials [5]. The addition of the number of layers to the fiber composite has the effect that the higher the fiber volume fraction causes the matrix volume fraction to be less, resulting in weaker bonds between the matrix and the fiber [6] Factors that can affect the acoustic properties of a fiber composite material include fiber size, temperature, porosity, flow resistivity, density, thickness, compression, and design [7]. Composite materials that function well as sound absorbers in the form of determining the properties of fibers, thickness, and density of samples need to be considered [8].…”

Mycelium-Composite Materials—A Promising Alternative to Plastics?

“…Several authors have reviewed literature in the field [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Numerous studies have been directed to the possible use of such materials, especially in the construction sector for thermal insulation [ 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], acoustic absorbers [ 21 , 22 , 23 ] or bricks [ 24 , 25 ]. The possibility of mycelium to be used as the bonding agent for wood boards [ 26 , 27 , 28 ] or combined with clay for “self-healing” purposes, replacing cement-based materials [ 29 ], was also investigated.…”

Preparation of Mycelium Pulp from Mushroom Fruiting Bodies

“…3,4 Mycelium-based materials have excellent properties, including relatively low cost, low environmental impact, and biodegradability. 5,6 By artificially cultivating mycelium, a variety of mycelium-based materials can be produced, 7,8 such as packaging materials, 9 soundproofing materials, 10 textiles, 11 mushroom leathers, 12 and mycelium films. 13 Mechanical and chemical treatment of the fruiting bodies can be used to obtain fruiting body-derived materials.…”

“…In this study, we developed a new method to extract mycelial fibers, without destroying their structure, from the fruiting bodies of mushrooms. In the past decade, as new biobased materials, mushrooms (basidiomycota) have attracted considerable attention. − Mushrooms are a renewable resource that have fruiting bodies and mycelial structures composed of chitin, β-glucans, α-glucans, proteins, and several natural polysaccharides. , Mycelium-based materials have excellent properties, including relatively low cost, low environmental impact, and biodegradability. , By artificially cultivating mycelium, a variety of mycelium-based materials can be produced, , such as packaging materials, soundproofing materials, textiles, mushroom leathers, and mycelium films …”