Shaghayegh "Unikko" Elahi: Mycelium-Based Composites for Sustainable Construction: Experimental Characterization and Material Performance Assessment

My doctoral research investigates mycelium-based composites as emerging bio-based materials for potential applications in sustainable construction. These composites are produced by growing fungal mycelium through lignocellulosic substrates, creating lightweight materials with a heterogeneous structure. Their performance is influenced by biological growth, substrate distribution, processing conditions, density, and internal morphology.

The project combines experimental characterization and material modelling to understand the mechanical, thermal, and microstructural behavior of these composites. Experimental methods include compression, shear, and tensile testing, digital image correlation, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-computed tomography. These techniques are used to study deformation behavior, stiffness, strength, thermal stability, viscoelastic response, and structural heterogeneity.

Material modelling is an interesting part of the project. Finite element modelling and constitutive modelling approaches are used to interpret experimental observations, investigate non-uniform stress distributions, and evaluate how material geometry affect the measured response. The modelling work also aims to support the development of more reliable descriptions of the mechanical behavior of mycelium-based composites.

The overall goal is to improve understanding of the structure–property relationships, variability, and performance limits of mycelium-based composites, supporting their future development as sustainable materials for the built environment.