Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material

The study explores the potential of mycelium-based materials as sustainable thermal insulation for construction. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, grows on organic substrates such as agricultural byproducts, forming a lightweight, biodegradable composite with insulating properties. The experim...

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Main Authors: Luksta Ilze, Vamža Ilze, Blumberga Dagnija
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sciendo 2025-01-01
Series:Environmental and Climate Technologies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2025-0014
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author Luksta Ilze
Vamža Ilze
Blumberga Dagnija
author_facet Luksta Ilze
Vamža Ilze
Blumberga Dagnija
author_sort Luksta Ilze
collection DOAJ
description The study explores the potential of mycelium-based materials as sustainable thermal insulation for construction. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, grows on organic substrates such as agricultural byproducts, forming a lightweight, biodegradable composite with insulating properties. The experiments focus on optimizing the material’s thermal conductivity and mechanical strength . Mycelium insulation demonstrates thermal conductivity values comparable to traditional materials like mineral wool and expanded polystyrene (EPS), with a range of 0.039 to 0.05 W/m·K. The production process employs renewable resources, is non-toxic, and aligns with circular economy principles by repurposing agricultural waste. Challenges remain in enhancing water resistance and mechanical adaptability. The findings underline mycelium’s potential as an eco-friendly alternative in modern sustainable construction, emphasizing its role in reducing carbon footprints and promoting resource efficiency.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2255-8837
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publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Sciendo
record_format Article
series Environmental and Climate Technologies
spelling doaj-art-a5979ece358d439abc8702d9d083dc4d2025-08-25T06:12:10ZengSciendoEnvironmental and Climate Technologies2255-88372025-01-0129120121110.2478/rtuect-2025-0014Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation MaterialLuksta Ilze0Vamža Ilze1Blumberga Dagnija21–3Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Āzenes street 12-K1, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia1–3Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Āzenes street 12-K1, Riga, LV-1048, Latvia1–3Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Āzenes street 12-K1, Riga, LV-1048, LatviaThe study explores the potential of mycelium-based materials as sustainable thermal insulation for construction. Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, grows on organic substrates such as agricultural byproducts, forming a lightweight, biodegradable composite with insulating properties. The experiments focus on optimizing the material’s thermal conductivity and mechanical strength . Mycelium insulation demonstrates thermal conductivity values comparable to traditional materials like mineral wool and expanded polystyrene (EPS), with a range of 0.039 to 0.05 W/m·K. The production process employs renewable resources, is non-toxic, and aligns with circular economy principles by repurposing agricultural waste. Challenges remain in enhancing water resistance and mechanical adaptability. The findings underline mycelium’s potential as an eco-friendly alternative in modern sustainable construction, emphasizing its role in reducing carbon footprints and promoting resource efficiency.https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2025-0014agricultural by-producteco-friendly materialsmyceliumthermal insulation
spellingShingle Luksta Ilze
Vamža Ilze
Blumberga Dagnija
Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
Environmental and Climate Technologies
agricultural by-product
eco-friendly materials
mycelium
thermal insulation
title Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
title_full Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
title_fullStr Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
title_full_unstemmed Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
title_short Development of a Mycelium-Based Thermal Insulation Material
title_sort development of a mycelium based thermal insulation material
topic agricultural by-product
eco-friendly materials
mycelium
thermal insulation
url https://doi.org/10.2478/rtuect-2025-0014
work_keys_str_mv AT lukstailze developmentofamyceliumbasedthermalinsulationmaterial
AT vamzailze developmentofamyceliumbasedthermalinsulationmaterial
AT blumbergadagnija developmentofamyceliumbasedthermalinsulationmaterial