3D Printing-Based Manufacturing Method for Biomass-Fungi Composites

Abstract

Biomass-fungi composites represent a sustainable material with applications in the construction and packaging industries. Currently, molding is used to manufacture biomass-fungi composite products. 3D printing of these composites would facilitate greater design flexibility for various construction and packaging applications.

This dissertation presents a novel 3D printing process for the manufacturing of products using these composites. It includes the mechanical processing and employing a printability aiding additive to facilitate 3D printing. Mechanical mixing was used to convert the loose, biomass-fungi material into a liquid slurry. Psyllium husk powder was used as a printability aiding additive that prevented phase segregation during the printing process thereby avoiding problems such as nozzle blocking. The appropriate amount of printability aiding additive was also determined by analyzing the print quality of mixtures varying in the content of this additive. The rheological properties of these mixtures have also been discussed. The effect of mixing process parameters (such as mixing time and mixing type) on fungal growth has been studied. Furthermore, this dissertation also presents the effects of printing process parameters (such as print speed and air pressure) on fungal growth. Lastly, the tensile and compressive strength data of these composites has been presented.