Construction Decomposition Inspired by Forests

Innovation: Industry

Mycocycle

Image: Kalle Gustafsson / Flickr / CC BY - Creative Commons Attribution alone

Chemically Break Down Inorganic Compounds

Chemically Break Down Organic Compounds

The vast majority of biochemical assembly and breakdown processes–even by the most complex organisms–occur within cells. In fact, cells are able to perform hundreds, even thousands of chemical transformations at the same time under life-friendly conditions (ambient temperature and pressure in an aqueous environment). Part of the reason that decomposition reactions (chemical breakdown) can occur under such mild conditions is because most often, they occur in a stepwise, enzyme-mediated fashion, sipping or releasing small amounts of energy at each step. For example, the breakdown of glucose to pyruvate–and the release of energy–occurs in the 10-step enzyme catalyzed process of glycolysis.

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Chemically Break Down Polymers

The vast majority of biochemical assembly and breakdown processes–even by the most complex organisms–occur within cells. In fact, cells are able to perform hundreds, even thousands of chemical transformations at the same time under life-friendly conditions (ambient temperature and pressure in an aqueous environment). For example, one of the biochemical pathways that break down proteins into their constituent amino acids is the protease enzyme-catalyzed processes that occur within the confined space of the lysosome–a membrane bound organelle in eukaryotic cells.

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Physically Assemble Structure

Living systems use physical materials to create structures to serve as protection, insulation, and other purposes. These structures can be internal (within or attached to the system itself), such as cell membranes, shells, and fur. They can also be external (detached), such as nests, burrows, cocoons, or webs. Because physical materials are limited and the energy required to gather and create new structures is costly, living systems must use both conservatively. Therefore, they optimize the structures’ size, weight, and density. For example, weaver birds use two types of vegetation to create their nests: strong, a few stiff fibers and numerous thin fibers. Combined, they make a strong, yet flexible, nest. An example of an internal structure is a bird’s bone. The bone is comprised of a mineral matrix assembled to create strong cross-supports and a tubular outer surface filled with air to minimize weight.

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Mycocycle uses fungi to break down toxic petrochemicals and produce sturdy, lightweight mycelium byproducts.

Benefits

Fire-resistant
Water-resistant
Non-toxic
Tough
Lightweight

Applications

Materials
Infrastucture
Construction

UN Sustainable Development Goals Addressed

Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 9: Industry Innovation & Infrastructure
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
Goal 12: Responsible Production & Consumption
Goal 13: Climate Action

Bioutilization

various species of fungus

The Challenge

Around the world, humans build extensively with petroleum-based products, especially using asphalt for roofing. At the end of their useful life, asphalt shingles and other building materials are generally incinerated or dumped in landfills––not only polluting the land, but adding millions of tons of climate-changing greenhouse gasses to our atmosphere every year.

The United States alone annually produces 660 million tons of construction and demolition debris––twice as much trash as all of the municipal solid waste that’s collected.

Innovation Details

Inspired by the circular processes in forests that turn end-of-life trees into useful soil, Mycocycle is finding cost-effective and sustainable ways to harness the biochemical abilities of fungi to clean up construction debris and pollutants the way they clean up fallen wood in the forest.

The scientists cultivate and test fungi, looking for species with enzymes that can optimally break down and detoxify construction debris, asphalt, and other forms of waste, and rapidly convert them into harmless materials they weave into their own growing rootlike structures.

The resulting mass that the fungi produce is fire and water-resistant, exceptionally light and tough, and can be used in the production of flooring, concrete, insulation products, and more, replacing petrochemical polymers currently in use.

Biological Model

Forests are diverse ecosystems in which different members perform various complementary functions and produce and breakdown many complex materials. The cycle of growing, breakdown, and regrowing all in-place allows forests to be largely self-sustaining. For example, trees capture carbon from the air, produce wood, and provide shade and shelter. Fungi, insects and other microorganisms break down that wood and produce healthy soil that provides a medium in which a new generation of trees can take root and find necessary nutrients.

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light orange fungi grow on a tree seen from below

Biological Strategy

How Fungi Can Clean Up Pollution

Fungi

Chemicals in fungi break down contaminants.

small green seedlings sprout from rich dark soil

Biological Strategy

The Subterranean Substance With Surprising Superpowers

Fungi

Fungi create a strong but lightweight material by producing a random network of tiny threads.

close up photograph of dark brown soil during the day

Biological Strategy

The World’s Most Diverse Community Lives in the Soil

Soil ecosystem

A diverse community of organisms interacts to break down and recycle chemicals to maintain soil fertility.

Ray of Hope Prize®

The Ray of Hope Prize celebrates nature-inspired solutions addressing the world’s biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Created in honor of Ray C. Anderson, founder of Interface, Inc. and a business and sustainability leader, the $100,000 Ray of Hope Prize helps startups cross a critical threshold in becoming viable businesses by amplifying their stories and providing them with equity-free funding. The prize shines a light on the innovative, nature-inspired solutions that we need to build a sustainable and resilient world. Mycocycle was selected as a finalist for the 2022 Ray of Hope Prize.

See All Ray of Hope Prize Finalists

Sun rays filter through the forest canopy and shine upon a rocky creek

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