A fusion of architecture, chemistry, and biotechnology gives rise to ultra-ecological yeast construction
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Yeasts are familiar to many from baking and brewing. Now, Aalto University researchers, in collaboration with their partners, have harnessed the growth potential of yeast for construction. They have 3D-printed yeast biomass into building blocks and wall panels suitable for interior use.
Yeast grows at an astonishing rate when fed a sugar-rich diet. Just 10 milligrams of yeast can expand into a ton of biomass in only one week.
A robot-controlled 3D printer assisted in printing the biomass. The process requires no heat, produces no waste material, and can be carried out directly at the construction site. Yeast-based construction is thus ultra-ecological.
“In the future, the cultivation of new biomaterials could also make use of the vast side streams generated by food production, agriculture, and the forest industry. This reduces the need for virgin raw materials,” says Professor Tiina Nypelö.
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Mycotecture – Sustainable Construction with Yeast
Malgorzata Zboinska, Professor, Architect, Project leader, Dept of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Cecilia Geijer, Professor, Project co-leader, Dept of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Tiina Nypelö, Professor, Project co-leader, Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering
Yagmur Bektas, PhD researcher, Dept of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Swedish Energy Agency