Exploring material properties and fabrication processes of a mycelium based surfboard

Methods

Summary

We have developed 1:100 and 1:2 scale prototypes of the ‘blank’ of the board, exploring different material formulas and fungal strains. Our next step is to investigate which raw organic textile can be used to replace fibreglass and whether it can be embedded into the material during the mycelial growth process.

To produce enough substrate for a full scale board, we will need to purchase an industrial autoclave to accelerate the process as well as fabricate a large incubator and dehydrator. The aim is to establish a DIY protocol and determine whether this process can be optimised and implemented at an industrial scale.

We will outsource our eco resin and ensure we obtain the most sustainable and biodegradable form of resin available. In order to maintain the properties of a conventional surfboard, we will need to work alongside shapers and optimise the moulding and material process based on feedback of mechanical properties and performance of our prototypes.