Three-dimensional structural characterisation and multiscale modelling of end-use properties of fungal composites
B03
Research Area:
Numerical Materials Science
Affiliation:
TUM, Munich | School of Life Sciences
Department:
Process Systems Engineering
Principal Investigator:
Heiko Briesen
Sub-project B03 is run by Prof. Heiko Briesen (Process Systems Engineering, TUM). The sub-project investigates the relationships between the three-dimensional structure of composite materials, made up of plant substrate particles interconnected with fungal mycelium, and their resulting end-use properties. A model for in silico prototyping is developed based on a stochastic model of fungal growth, validated using computed tomography images.
The central research questions address the suitability of tomography images for morphometric analysis, the use of stochastic models to predict F. fomentarius growth, and the development of multiscale models predicting heat and mass transport properties. The goal is to formulate and solve model-based optimisation problems for the targeted design of fungal-based composites, incorporating mechanical, heat, mass transport, and eventually acoustic properties.
The sub-project is carried out in close collaboration with B01, B02, C01, and C02, and provides data on mesoscale structures to A01 – A07.