The aim of the master thesis was to raise mycelia of certain of fungal specie and use it to create an interior product collection. For this purpose mycela was used as a biocomposite material and individually as a mycelium fabric. Thus, influence of fungal specie, substrate composition and incubation time were determined in order to obtain self-growing biocomposite material with optimal properties. The study included: three specie of fungi, i.e. Ganoderma lucidum, Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus; two substrate typees, i.e. sawdust and sawdust/straw mixture and four different growing times, i.e. three, five, eight and ten weeks. Morphological and chemical properties of the obtained samples were studied by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Mechanical properties were determined by measurements of breaking force and elongation. In addition, flammability was also studied. Among the studied fungi Ganoderma lucidum mycelium grown either on a sawdust/straw substrate or sawdust alone, reflected the biocomposite material with the best morphological and mechanical properties. To achieve the desired material characteristics, optimal growing time of eight weeks was determined. The results of the flammability test were of key importance that mycelia of Ganoderma lucidum grown on a sawdust was used in the design and construction of interior products. Biocomposite material distinguished by exceptional lightness, but sufficient strength and flame retardancy was in a synergy with other materials combined in a sustainable collection, consisting of a chair as a central element, several smaller stools, lights, a table lamp, slippers from mycelium fabric and various decorative products for home.
|
