With the rising concerns on global warming and disruption of our ecosystems, there is an urgent need to find sustainable solutions. Polluting industries like the construction sector pose critical challenges at a global scale, in terms of both economic and environmental sustainability. Research on bio-based construction materials has therefore grown significantly, such as mycelium-based composites. The dense fungal mycelium network binds a natural lignocellulosic substrate together thereby offering a sustainable solution to the growing demand for eco-friendly materials. 

The mechanical properties of these composites however don’t meet the requirements of structural elements. This project thus aims to increase the material's strength through bio-cementation, with and without bacteria. 

The approach is based on the precipitation of crystals on the microbial cell walls, thereby creating a matrix acting as a glue and reinforcement of the material. By investigating the cementation and growth conditions, a protocol to bio-cement mycelium composites is developed. Based on compression and bending tests, the mechanical properties are defined. 

Enhancement of these properties is studied by analysing the impact of natural additives, post-treatments and structural geometry on the mechanical properties and the growth process. With this project, pioneering progress in the development of mycelium composites is made, paving the way towards the use of these biomaterials in our built environment.