Green and bio-waste represents more than 44% of urban municipal waste. Here, we explore the valorization of this waste by transforming it into composites using fungi. Indeed, fungi grow by degrading the lignocellulosic content of waste and by developing a highly interconnected network called mycelium. This mycelium is composed of chitin, cellulose, and protein, and bind the non-degraded components together. In this work, we investigate the incidence of food sources on the growth of the mycelium of two commonly used fungi, the Lingzi mushroom and the Grey Oyster mushroom. We find that foods are natural catalysts of the growth. Furthermore, we develop mixtures, or inks that can be used to 3D print such materials using an extrusion method. The composites formed from waste and mycelium are interesting for their insulation properties, mechanics, decorative, etc.

Growing mycelium-bound composite using agricultural waste

Natural ceramic composites present complex microstructures that lead to tortuous crack path and confer them high toughness. Current microreinforced composites do not yet reach the level of complexity found in natural microstructures. To achieve this, we developed an automated set up for controlling 2D microplatelet orientation using magnetic fields. The setup has 4 degrees of freedom and allows fine control of platelet angles in 3D as well as position. With our setup, we can thus build microstructured porous ceramic materials (alumina) with local orientation of microplatelets, at a concentration of about 40 vol%. Other work in our group has shown that the same setup can be used to process microstructured ceramics up to 95 vol%.
Among the infinite possible microstructures, a nacre-like helicoidal arrangement was selected due to its ability to tilt and twist the crack path. Indeed, we used an analytical model based on the laminate theory to compare energy dissipation due to mixed modes of failure. Nacre-like helicoidal arrangement was predicted to exhibit the highest energy dissipation. Then, we fabricated the hybrid microstructured porous specimen fabricated and infiltrated them with a silicone matrix. Using compression tests, our hybrid dissipated 1.6 times more energy as compared to nacre-like samples of same composition. The fabrication strategy proposed here could thus be a simple route to increase the toughness of microplatelet reinforced composites.



Energy dissipation in composites with hybrid nacre-like helicoidal microstructures

**Session Chair: **Jason Lim, Ye Enyi, Zhu Qiang

SYM B - Re-cyclability and Re-manufacturing

technical paper

**Please view our Welcome to MH21 video.**

<center>
<figure class="video_container">
	 <iframe src="https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cr1UYHV1pcz?v=6&ff=1&title=0&controls=1" width=826 height=526 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"> </iframe>
</figure>
	</center>


**Walkthrough Video**

Here is a Walkthrough showing how to navigate the conference and network with others 

<center>
<figure class="video_container">
	 <iframe src="https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cr1vnrV1paE?v=6&ff=1&title=0&controls=1" width=826 height=526 frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"> </iframe>
</figure>
	</center>




	 Organized by
 
<a href="https://mrs.org.sg/">
<img src="https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/95d5789689d5f900b90e9fe54ea3cf0d.jpg"</a>

 
	
	 In association with
 
<a href="http://www.ntu.edu.sg/">
<img src="https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/334cd171ad2fdee033c635b368e5e160.png"</a>
	<a href="https://www.nus.edu.sg/">
<img src="https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/32e6f82c0440f7bb24c590f9f67821bd.png"</a>
		<a href="https://www.a-star.edu.sg/">
<img src="https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/72557865b589cfa3d2a0243ffce4a270.png"</a>
	
 


	 Supported by
 
		 <a href="https://www.visitsingapore.com/mice/en/about-us/about-secb/">
<img src="https://assets.underline.io/uploads/markdown_image/1/image/6e679842ead62be522ba6a630b82d5c9.png"</a>

To access the MH 21 Conference, [please register](https://mh21.mrs.org.sg/event/da3f9651-429f-4763-81b2-ebd7311b6bc8/websitePage:206f7605-1731-41f9-8421-56d3890f398f)

MATERIALS FOR HUMANITY (MH 21)

MH 21 is arranged around 6 themes that focus attention on pressing needs that should be addressed to enhance the well-being of communities and provide a forum for presenting breakthrough discoveries.

**Session Chair: **Yongwei ZHANG

Hortense Le Ferrand

2

1

SHORT BIO

Presentations

Growing mycelium-bound composite using agricultural waste

Energy dissipation in composites with hybrid nacre-like helicoidal microstructures

Stay up to date with the latest Underline news!

PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCES

COMPANY

RESOURCES