Moldable mycelium

Moldable mycelium is proposed to be a new material similar to bioplastics. Mycelium is a form of growth of fungi where cells form a mesh network of strung together cells. Unlike other bioplastics the material is made of whole cells rather than harvested components. The process involves inoculating a feedstock with a fungal mycelium and placing in a mold that will shape that the mycelium grows into. Moldable mycelium could be an advantageous process that produces a high quality product with minimal energy input and hardware as compared to other bioplastics. More research is necessary to identify mycelium with favorable traits. Depending on the mycelium different feedstocks may be used including low-value biomass that has had its sugars removed leaving cellulose and lignin.